• Prime Minister Netanyahu appoints David Zini as head of the Shin Bet despite legal objections.
• The appointment follows a Supreme Court ruling deeming the prior dismissal unlawful.
• Public protests erupt in response, leading to clashes with police in Tel Aviv.
• Concerns about Netanyahu's potential conflicts of interest due to ongoing investigations arise.
• Legal challenges against the appointment are expected in the coming days.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the appointment of Maj. Gen. David Zini as the new head of the Shin Bet internal security agency, defying legal warnings from Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara. This decision follows a Supreme Court's ruling that the prior dismissal of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar was "unlawful," heightening concerns over Netanyahu's adherence to legal processes, according to The New York Times, Le Monde, and Middle East Eye.

The appointment has sparked significant public backlash, resulting in protests in Tel Aviv where demonstrators clashed with police. Several protesters were arrested as they condemned Netanyahu's actions, which many view as an infringement on the rule of law, according to AA and AA.

Attorney General Baharav-Miara has criticized Netanyahu's decision as "flawed," citing concerns that the appointment could represent a conflict of interest due to ongoing investigations associated with the Shin Bet and the so-called "Qatargate" scandal. The attorney general formally instructed the prime minister not to proceed with the appointment until the legal implications were fully addressed, highlighting the tension surrounding this political maneuver, according to AA and Middle East Eye.

Following this announcement, opposition leaders, including Yair Lapid, have publicly denounced the appointment and called on Zini to refuse the position until the Supreme Court issues a ruling. They argue that Netanyahu's actions reflect a troubling pattern where legal and democratic norms are being undermined, as he appears to prioritize political loyalty over legal propriety, according to Le Monde and AA.

As tensions continue to rise, legal experts anticipate that civil society groups will challenge Netanyahu's appointment in court, an indication that the political and legal battles surrounding this issue are far from over, according to AA and Middle East Eye.