Ami Ayalon confirms meeting with David Zini on suspicion of foreign influence on elections

In depth

Former Shin Bet chief Ami Ayalon confirmed that he met with Shin Bet chief David Zini and discussed with him the suspicion of foreign influence on the elections. Ayalon said that it had not occurred to him to refuse the meeting, and that he saw it as a duty.

Ayalon said that the service is one of the pillars of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, and that the service must cross-check intelligence from various sources and act for the public and not for the government. According to him, a security service that acts in a way that undermines public trust has failed in its role.

Ayalon described Zini as "a brave man" and explained that Zini knows his opinion of him. Ayalon said that Zini invited him to the meeting and conveyed to him a message about public trust in the service.