Democrats party chairman Yair Golan criticized the appointment of David Zini as head of the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), questioning his ability to safeguard the upcoming Knesset elections, during a campaign event hosted by the Jezreel Valley Regional Council on Wednesday.
Golan expressed concern over Zini’s ability to protect the integrity of the electoral process, arguing that several former senior military officers would have been better suited for the position.
“I have every reason in the world to be concerned about whether Zini will protect the electoral process,” Golan said.
“Time will tell,” Golan continued. “They could have appointed one of the major generals, Nitzan Alon, Roni Numa, or Uri Gordin. Why choose someone who knows absolutely nothing about this? What is legitimate about that?”
Golan linked his concerns to what he described as Zini’s failure to adequately address the “Qatargate” affair and Jewish settler extremist violence in the West Bank.
HEAD OF the Democrats party, Yair Golan, speaks at the anual Berl Katznelson Center (BKC) conference, on May 07, 2026. (credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/FLASH90)
“When Zini took office, I said there were two tests of his performance: The first was investigating the Qatargate affair, and the second was combating Jewish terrorism in the West Bank. He has failed at both of these tasks. Now he has a third mission: protecting the integrity of the electoral process.”
Golan also rejected allegations that he had previously described IDF soldiers as “baby killers” or “Nazis.”
“I never said that IDF soldiers were baby killers or Nazis,” Golan said.
Golan explains opposition to second international airport at Ramat David
Turning to plans for a second international airport to supplement Ben-Gurion Airport, Golan reiterated his opposition to constructing the facility at Ramat David in the Jezreel Valley, citing security concerns.
He said he had rejected the proposal during his tenure as deputy IDF chief of staff, despite support from the Israel Air Force, and had instead recommended building the airport in the Negev.
“Exactly ten years ago, this issue came across my desk when I was deputy IDF chief of staff. I ruled out the possibility of building a second international airport to supplement Ben-Gurion Airport at Ramat David on security grounds, despite the Air Force’s support for the proposal, and determined that the appropriate location was in the Negev.
“This is not a political statement. It is a purely security-based assessment. It makes no sense to take Israel’s second international airport, place it within range of rockets from Lebanon, and expect it to provide a genuine solution, including during emergencies.
“The airport should be built in the south. First and foremost, from a national perspective, developing the Negev, settling the south, and fulfilling Ben-Gurion’s vision. Second, the south is far less exposed to threats from all directions. We will ensure that no international airport is built in the Jezreel Valley.”