Israel Openly Names New Shin Bet Chief
Gen. Ami Ayalon, former commander of Israel’s navy, has been named the new head of Shin Bet, Israel’s secret service, Israel Radio reported today. It was the first time that Israel has publicly named the head of the organization.
Ayalon, 49, will replace the outgoing head of Shin Bet, known publicly as “K,” who resigned Monday after accepting responsibility for failing to prevent the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. Shin Bet agents were guarding Rabin on Nov. 4 when he was slain by a lone Jewish gunman.
A state commission of inquiry looking into the circumstances of Rabin’s slaying has already warned six current and former Shin Bet officials that they may be found culpable for failing to prevent the assassination.
Shin Bet, which reports directly to the prime minister’s office, is responsible for fighting terrorism and for protecting Israeli VIPs at home and abroad.
Rabin had asked Ayalon to head the organization last year, but Ayalon turned him down, according to security sources.
He reportedly also turned down Peres’ offer, according to Israel Radio, and accepted the position only after a personal appeal from the new prime minister.
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