Who is 'S', new acting Shin Bet chief replacing Ronen Bar? - explainer
"S" was on a first-round short list for potential appointment by Netanyahu, but did not make a second-round short list.
Due to legal battles over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s appointment of IDF Maj.-Gen. (res.) David Zini as the next Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) director to replace Ronen Bar next Monday upon Bar’s resignation, deputy director “S” will be the acting director.
While it is possible that Zini may be approved by the High Court of Justice within days or weeks, it is also possible that the justices will veto the appointment because of concerns about its impact on the Qatargate probe.
In that case, “S” might remain the acting Shin Bet director for an indefinite period of time.
Background of the new acting chief
“S,” 53, is married and has three children.He served as a soldier and then an officer in the Golani Brigade.
Previously led Shin Bet's cyber, signal intelligence unit
From 2010-2012, he headed the Shin Bet’s cyber and signal intelligence unit.In 2012, “S” was appointed bureau chief to then Shin Bet director Yoram Cohen and served in that position until 2014.From 2014-2016, he served as the head of the agency’s analysis section.
He was on an academic sabbatical from 2016-2017, focusing on security studies.
From 2017 to 2019, he was the heart of the section responsible for thwarting terrorism in Samaria.
In 2019, “S” was promoted to be in charge of thwarting anti-Israel spying, a position he held until 2021.
From 2022-2024, he was in charge of force buildup and long-term planning at the agency.
Since this past January, he has been the Shin Bet’s deputy director.
On the short list for potential appointment
“S” was on a first-round shortlist of candidates for director by Netanyahu. He did not make the second-round shortlist, which included other former deputy directors, who had served in that role longer than him, and other senior defense officials from outside the Shin Bet, such as Zini.“S” has a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in business management.
