MK Avi Maoz called on Shin Bet director Ronen Bar to shut down the agency’s Jewish Division, arguing that Israel’s internal security service shouldn’t be involved in operations against Jews but should “focus only on thwarting our enemies—there’s plenty of work in that sector.”
Maoz, from the far-right Noam party, made the comments Thursday in response to a Haaretz report that the Shin Bet would be involved in monitoring ultra-Orthodox protests against military conscription.
According to Maoz, “The Shin Bet shouldn’t be involved in thwarting protest actions by Jews. Whether it’s the ultra-Orthodox or the settlers—the Shin Bet should focus only on thwarting our enemies. There’s plenty of work in that sector.”
Maoz also sharply criticized the agency over its October 7 failures: “No wonder the Shin Bet failed on Simchat Torah. Because the same resources it deploys against our enemies—it deploys against our friends.”