Knesset grants immunity to MK Tally Gotliv in Shin Bet officer identity case

Israel's Knesset has granted immunity to Likud lawmaker Tally Gotliv, who was indicted for exposing the identity of a Shin Bet officer. The final vote saw 61 lawmakers in favor and 48 against, allowing Gotliv to avoid criminal prosecution for violating the Shin Bet law.

The decision follows a contentious debate, with Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara strongly opposing immunity. Baharav-Miara argued that Gotliv's actions posed a severe security risk by revealing classified information during wartime. She presented a top-secret Shin Bet document to committee members, reportedly stating that the agent's life, as well as those of his children and family, were endangered.

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If Arab Knesset members had revealed the names of Mossad agents and Shin Bet officers, would we also stay silent? There are consequences to everything.

Gotliv has not denied exposing the officer's identity, asserting that her actions were warranted. The Knesset's House Committee had previously approved her immunity request, with all coalition members voting in favor. However, the final plenum vote revealed some dissent within the Likud party.

Likud MK Yuli Edelstein publicly stated he would vote against Gotliv's immunity, expressing concern that granting it could establish a precedent for other lawmakers, regardless of their political affiliation, to violate laws without consequence. Coalition whip MK Ofir Katz, however, supported Gotliv, criticizing the attorney-general for what he described as interference with the government's work. The indictment specifically relates to Gotliv publishing the identity of the partner of protest leader Shikma Bressler, who was allegedly a Shin Bet employee.

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Gotliv created a severe security risk by exposing the personal details of a Shin Bet agent during wartime.