Amid war with Iran, Israeli Security Agency (Shin Bet) chief Ronen Bar’s term ended at midnight and was replaced by an interim director identified by the letter S.
Bar announced his resignation in April after the government moved to oust him. Prime Minister Benjamin is seeking to appoint Maj.-Gen. David Zini, which has been held up by legal appeals. It isn’t clear how long S. will lead the Shin Bet.
S., 53, is a married father of three and a veteran of the Golani Brigade. He joined the Shin Bet in 1995, focusing on counterterrorism in eastern Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria, and later training field agents. Between 2010 and 2012, he led the agency’s cyber and signal intelligence unit, followed by a term as bureau chief to Shin Bet director Yoram Cohen. He headed the analysis division from 2014 to 2016 and spent a year on academic sabbatical.
From 2017 to 2019, S. led counterterror operations in Samaria, then directed counter-espionage efforts until 2021. He was responsible for force development and strategic planning from 2022 to 2024. As of January 2025, “S” serves as the deputy director of the Shin Bet.