New Shin Bet chief criticized by feminists for refusing to shake women’s hands

Some progressive voices accused Zini of sending a discriminatory message.

By World Israel News Staff

A debate flared up in recent weeks around Shin Bet chief David Zini after reports said he informed fighters ahead of an official ceremony that he would not shake hands with female personnel, citing his adherence to shmirat negiah, the religious prohibition on physical contact between unrelated men and women.

The decision drew criticism from feminist activists, who argued it was inappropriate in a professional security setting.

Some progressive voices accused Zini of sending a discriminatory message, saying it “is sending a message to women that they have no place in the Shin Bet and is humiliating them.” One user on X wrote: “The Shin Bet head who refuses to shake hands with female fighters in the organization. Iran is really here. The General Security Service is on its way to becoming the Revolutionary Guards.”

Others pushed back sharply against the criticism, framing it as an overblown controversy. Channel 14 panelist Yaki Adamker responded: “Ladies and gentlemen, a new storm: ‘The Shin Bet has fallen’ because Zini did not shake hands with the organization’s women.”

Adamker later argued the backlash reflected a wider cultural divide in Israel. “When we see the progressives’ crazy and delusional campaign against Shin Bet chief Zini for not shaking hands with women at the organization’s ceremony, we can completely understand the fear of the ultra-Orthodox about enlisting in the IDF,” he said. “We can only hope that sane Israel will not fall for these scaremongering and will allow for proper integration, both for the religious and the ultra-Orthodox.”

The controversy comes as Zini’s appointment has faced scrutiny from critics who see it as part of a broader shift within Israel’s current coalition government, which came to power in December 2022 and includes hardline ministers who have drawn fierce opposition.

During his appointment process, objections were reportedly submitted by former Shin Bet officials, including senior figures, raising concerns over how Zini would approach the job, particularly regarding the agency’s relationship with the prime minister.

In a September article headlined “Israel has seen extremists in high office. But nothing like Netanyahu’s Shin Bet pick,” Haaretz described Zini’s appointment as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s “most frightening” one yet.

For now, the incident has become another point of contention in Israel’s ongoing debate over religion, gender norms, and the role of personal observance within state institutions.