Smotrich Declares War on Israel’s “Deep State”: Accuses Shin Bet and Attorney General of Betrayal

In an explosive escalation of Israel’s ongoing institutional power struggle, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has unleashed a full-frontal attack on both the Shin Bet and Attorney General Gali Baharav Miara, accusing them of acting against Israel’s national interests and undermining the very foundations of democracy under the guise of “protecting” it.

The Religious Zionism party leader aligned himself with the Otzma Yehudit faction’s claims that rogue elements within the Shin Bet interfered in the appointment of the agency’s new chief, Maj. Gen. (res.) David Zini, and that the Attorney General’s Office is weaponizing leaks and investigations to sabotage the government’s war effort and vilify its defenders.

“We Will Defend Our Fighters — and Our Nation — From the Gatekeepers”

In a fiery statement issued Tuesday, Smotrich vowed that his party would “do everything to protect our fighters, our Judaism, our existence and security, and our democracy against those who undermine it under the guise of being ‘gatekeepers.’”

He accused shadowy forces within the Shin Bet of using spyware and covert surveillance operations to discredit Zini’s nomination, claiming that they are acting as political operatives rather than security professionals.

“There are elements within the Shin Bet operating through spyware to thwart the appointment of a Shin Bet chief,” Smotrich charged — a claim that echoes Otzma Yehudit’s demand for a Knesset inquiry into what they call “unauthorized political interference” by security services.

‼️Knesset Approves Bill to Split Attorney General Powers

The Knesset approved a preliminary bill to divide the powers of the Attorney General, with support from ultra-Orthodox parties reportedly in exchange for concessions.

The proposal by MK Smotrich would distribute powers… pic.twitter.com/Q5LAMywMUb

— Leah Weiss (@Weisslbj333Leah) October 29, 2025

Leaked Files, Shadow Wars, and the Struggle for Control

According to a Haaretz exposé, Zini allegedly met with a Shin Bet officer who was under surveillance for leaking information to the Grunis Committee, which is responsible for vetting senior government appointments. Otzma Yehudit insists that this “incident” was manipulated and weaponized to block Zini’s rise — and that the entire process reeks of institutional sabotage from within the state apparatus.

Smotrich’s accusations mark a deepening rift between Israel’s elected leadership and what many in the government call the “unelected elite” — senior legal, security, and judicial officials who, they claim, are abusing their power to override the will of the people.

Smotrich: Baharav Miara Is Fueling “Blood Libels” Against Israel

Turning his fire toward the Attorney General, Smotrich accused Gali Baharav Miara of “acting against our fighters and commanders” and of enabling leaks that feed what he described as “antisemitic blood libels against the State of Israel.”

His comments came shortly after the Attorney General’s Office announced a criminal investigation into a leaked video from the Sde Teiman detention facility, appearing to show Israeli guards severely abusing a Palestinian detainee. Smotrich dismissed the investigation as part of a larger effort to demonize Israeli soldiers and cripple the nation’s ability to fight terrorism.

“Does anyone need further proof,” Smotrich thundered, “of the critical need to clean out the stables and enact the necessary reforms in our judicial system and law enforcement?!”

The Reform Battle Rekindled

The Finance Minister’s statement reopens the contentious debate over the government’s judicial overhaul, a reform plan that seeks to limit the powers of the Attorney General and the Supreme Court — institutions many in the right-wing coalition view as politically biased and unaccountable.

For Smotrich and his allies, the latest leaks, investigations, and internal power plays are not isolated incidents but part of a broader campaign to undermine the elected government from within. The message is clear: Israel’s “deep state” — the entrenched legal and security bureaucracy — is at war with the nation’s democratic will.

And this time, Smotrich seems determined to fight back.

Summary: The Battle Within the State

• Smotrich’s Accusation: Claims Shin Bet and Attorney General are acting against state interests.

• Otzma Yehudit’s Demand: Calls for Knesset probe into alleged Shin Bet interference in Zini’s appointment.

• Attorney General’s Response: Launches investigation into Sde Teiman abuse video leak.

• Underlying Theme: Renewed push for judicial reforms framed as a fight for Israel’s sovereignty and democracy.