Shin Bet probes leak of wartime intelligence under Netanyahu's order

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has directed the Shin Bet, Israel's internal security agency, to investigate the alleged leak of classified information concerning the start date of Operation Roaring Lion to an unnamed media outlet. The directive came after security officials recommended the probe.

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Without confirming the accuracy of any particular report, it should be clarified that investigations into leaks of classified information are opened under the authority and at the discretion of the Shin Bet chief, only after an orderly process involving the agency’s professional and legal officials, and pursuant to the Shin Bet’s statutory responsibility to prevent leaks of classified information from the core of the defense establishment.

During a recent cabinet meeting, Shin Bet Director David Zini indicated that while an investigation could be opened, uncovering the truth would be challenging due to the number of individuals privy to the secret. Despite these low chances of success, Netanyahu issued a subsequent order to proceed with the investigation and report the findings to him.

Following an internal review, the Shin Bet's legal advisors concluded that an investigation was warranted based on Netanyahu's directive. Crucially, they determined that the attorney-general's approval would not be necessary because the investigation would target members of the defense establishment rather than journalists. This allows the Shin Bet to utilize its statutory powers to investigate the breach.

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Any attempt to attribute professional decisions made by the Shin Bet chief in order to fulfill the agency’s mission to discussions held with one person or another is entirely without foundation.

The Shin Bet issued a statement emphasizing that investigations into leaks of classified information are conducted at the discretion of the Shin Bet chief, following an orderly process involving professional and legal officials. The agency stressed that the investigation's primary goal is to seal the leak within the defense establishment and refuted any claims that professional decisions were influenced by external discussions. The decision to investigate was reportedly made by the Shin Bet chief prior to the cabinet meeting.

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The decision regarding the need for a leak investigation was made by the Shin Bet chief long before the meeting in question took place.