View source for Shin Bet

{{Short description|Israel's internal security service}}
{{pp|small=yes}} 
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox law enforcement agency
| agencyname        = Israel Security Agency
| commonname        = '''Shabak'''
| nativename        = Sherut haBitaẖon haKlali
| nativenamea       = {{lang|he|שירות הביטחון הכללי}}<br/>{{lang|ar|جهاز الأمن العام}}
| abbreviation      = ''English'': '''ISA''', ''Local'': '''Shabak''' - Hebrew: {{lang|he|שב״כ}}, Arabic: {{lang|ar|شاباك}}
| patch             = 
| patchcaption      = 
| logo              = Israel Security Agency.svg
| logocaption       = Emblem of the Israel Security Agency
| badge             = 
| badgecaption      = 
| flag              = 
| flagcaption       = 
| headquarters      = Yarkon Park, Tel Aviv
| mottotranslated   = {{lang|he|Magen v'lo Yera'eh}}
| formedyear        = {{start date and age|df=yes|1949|2|8}}<ref name=officialHistory1>{{cite web | access-date= 25 May 2011 | publisher= Shabak | title= The History of the ISA | url= https://www.shabak.gov.il/english//heritage/Pages/default.aspx#cbpf=.1948-1956 | archive-date= 17 September 2017 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170917213507/https://www.shabak.gov.il/english//heritage/Pages/default.aspx#cbpf=.1948-1956 | url-status= live }}</ref>
| formedmonthday    = 
| preceding1        = [[Shai (Haganah unit)|Shai]]
| employees         = 
| volunteers        = 
| budget            = 
| country           = Israel
| national          = Yes
| map               = 
| mapcaption        = 
| sizearea          = 
| sizepopulation    = 
| legaljuris        = 
| overviewtype      = 
| overviewbody      = 
| sworn             = 
| unsworn           = 
| electeetype       = 
| governingbody     = Prime Minister of Israel
| chief1name        = [[David Zini]]
| chief1position    = Director
| chief2name        = 
| chief2position    = 
| stationtype       = 
| stations          = 
| lockuptype        = 
| speciality1       = 
| lockups           = 
| anniversary1      = 
| website           = {{URL|https://www.shabak.gov.il/|shabak.gov.il}}
| footnotes         = 
}}
The '''Israel Security Agency''',{{efn|'''ISA'''; {{langx|he|שֵׁירוּת הַבִּיטָּחוֹן הַכְּלָלִי|Sherut ha-Bitaẖon ha-Klali}}, {{lit|General Security Service}} (GSS); {{langx|ar|
جهاز الأمن العام|Jihāz al-Āmn al-Ami}}}} better known by the [[Hebrew acronyms|acronyms]] '''Shabak'''{{efn|{{langx|he|שב״כ|link=nono}}; {{IPA|he|ʃaˈbak|IPA|He-Shabak.ogg}}; {{langx|ar|شاباك|links=no}}}} or '''Shin Bet''',{{efn|from the [[initialism]] "[[Shin (letter)|Shin]] + [[Bet (letter)|Bet]]" of {{lang|he|Sherut ha-Bitaẖon}}, "Security Service"}} is Israel's [[Security agency|internal security]] and [[counterintelligence]] service. Its motto is "''Magen v'lo Yera'eh''" ({{langx|he|מָגֵן וְלֹא יֵרָאֶה|lit=the unseen shield|link=no}}). The Shin Bet's headquarters are located in northwest [[Tel Aviv]], north of [[Yarkon Park]].

It is one of three principal organizations of the [[Israeli Intelligence Community]], alongside [[Military Intelligence Directorate (Israel)|Aman]] ([[military intelligence]]) and [[Mossad]] (foreign intelligence service).

==Organization==
Shabak is believed to have three operational wings:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/1791564.stm |title=Profile: Israel's Shin Bet agency |publisher=BBC News |date=2002-01-30 |access-date=2013-10-30 |archive-date=13 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213060827/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/1791564.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>
;The Arab Department: responsible primarily for Arab-related [[counterterrorism]] activities in Israel, the [[West Bank]], and the [[Gaza Strip]].
;The Israel and Foreigners Department: formerly named the Non-Arab Affairs Department. It includes the Department for Counter-intelligence and Prevention of Subversion in the Jewish Sector, also known as the ''Jewish Department''.<ref name=uvda>{{Cite episode|title=Mission: Impossible|series=Uvda|network=Mako|date=6 May 2013|url=https://www.mako.co.il/tv-ilana_dayan/2013-57bdf6356897e310/Article-2d9bf6356897e31006.htm|access-date=18 March 2020|language=he|first=Omri|last=Assenheim|archive-date=19 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319063750/https://www.mako.co.il/tv-ilana_dayan/2013-57bdf6356897e310/Article-2d9bf6356897e31006.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Since the 1980s, its main activities are collecting information about the intentions of [[Far-right politics in Israel|Israeli far-right]] extremists to harm symbols of the government in Israel or to carry out attacks against Palestinians.<ref name=ha>[https://www.haaretz.co.il/misc/2006-07-12/ty-article/0000017f-dc4d-d3ff-a7ff-fdede0300000 יש עם מי לא לדבר], ''[[Haaretz]]'', July 12, 2006 ''Quote:'' {{lang|he|כיום ממוקדת עיקר פעילותו של האגף באיסוף מידע על כוונות של גורמי ימין קיצוניים לפגוע בסמלים של השלטון בישראל או לבצע פיגועים נגד פלשתינאים}}</ref><ref name=uvda/>
;The Protective Security Department: responsible for protecting high-value individuals and locations in the country such as government officials, embassies, airports, and research facilities.

Although a security agency, it is not a part of the [[Israeli Ministry of Defense]], and its chief answers directly to the [[Prime Minister of Israel|prime minister of Israel]].

==Duties and roles==
Shabak's duties are safeguarding state security, exposing [[terrorism|terrorist]] rings, interrogating terror suspects, providing [[military intelligence|intelligence]] for [[counter-terrorism]] operations in the [[West Bank]] and the [[Gaza Strip]], [[counter-espionage]], personal protection of senior public officials, securing important infrastructure and government buildings, and safeguarding Israeli airlines and overseas [[embassy|embassies]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Refworld {{!}} Israel: Division of labour and mandates of the Mosad and Shabak (Shin Bet, General Security Service, Sherut ha-Bitachon ha-Klali); on forced recruitment to the Mossad or the Shabak |url=https://www.refworld.org/docid/3df4be4d24.html |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=Refworld |language=en |archive-date=14 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230914130041/https://www.refworld.org/docid/3df4be4d24.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-30 |title=Israel's national airline El Al is an intelligence front for the Shin Bet |url=https://mondoweiss.net/2023/08/israels-national-airline-el-al-is-an-intelligence-front-for-the-shin-bet/ |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=Mondoweiss |language=en-US}}</ref>

==History==
With the [[Israeli Declaration of Independence|Israeli declaration of independence]] in 1948, the Shabak was founded as a branch of the Israel Defense Forces and was initially headed by [[Isser Harel]] (the father of Israeli Intelligence, who later headed the [[Mossad]]). Responsibility for Shabak activity was later moved from the IDF to the office of the prime minister. During the [[1948 Arab–Israeli war]], Shabak's responsibilities included only internal security affairs. In February 1949 (a short while before the end of the war), its responsibilities were extended to counter-espionage.<ref>[https://www.shabak.gov.il/heritage/Pages/history.aspx Shin Bet history] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161030184329/http://www.shabak.gov.il/heritage/Pages/history.aspx |date=2016-10-30 }} (Hebrew)</ref>

One of the Shabak's leading successes was obtaining a copy of the [[On the Personality Cult and its Consequences|secret speech]] made by [[Nikita Khrushchev]] in 1956, in which he denounced Stalin. A Polish edition of the speech was provided to the Israeli embassy in [[Warsaw]] by the boyfriend of the secretary of a Polish communist official. The Shabak's Polish liaison officer conveyed the copy to Israel. The Israeli government then decided to share the information with the United States, which published it with Israeli approval.<ref name=Melman_Khrushchev>{{cite news|title=There's a speech by Khrushchev from the conference (Hebrew)|url=https://www.haaretz.co.il/misc/1.1089815|newspaper=[[Haaretz]]|date=March 7, 2006}}</ref> On the other hand, a study published in 2013 by Matitiahu Mayzel casts doubt on the story, arguing that the speech was not secret and that it was conveyed to the West by multiple sources, including Soviet political and intelligence agencies.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Matitiahu Mayzel |title=Israeli Intelligence and the leakage of Khrushchev's "Secret Speech" |journal=The Journal of Israeli History |year=2013 |volume=32 |number=2 |pages=257–283 |doi=10.1080/13531042.2013.822730|s2cid=143346034 }}</ref>

A notable achievement in counter-espionage was the 1961 capture of [[Israel Beer]], who was revealed to be a Soviet [[Espionage|spy]]. Beer was a [[lieutenant colonel]] in the reserves, a senior security commentator and close friend of Ben-Gurion and reached high Israeli circles. Beer was tried and sentenced to ten years in prison (later extended by the Supreme Court to fifteen years, following his appeal), where he died. A year before, [[Kurt Sitte]], a [[Christianity|Christian]] German from the [[Sudetenland]] and a [[professor]] in the [[Technion – Israel Institute of Technology|Technion]], was revealed as a [[Czechoslovakia]]n spy.<ref>[https://www.shabak.gov.il/heritage/affairs/pages/skira-57-67.aspx Shin Bet between 1957 and 1967] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160805234322/https://www.shabak.gov.il/heritage/affairs/pages/skira-57-67.aspx |date=2016-08-05 }} (Hebrew)</ref>

[[File:Shabak Medal 2.JPG|thumb|right|200px|Medal given to Shabak workers on the 40th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel, 1988]]

[[Refaat Al-Gammal]] was an Egyptian spy who infiltrated Israeli society for 17 years. In 2004, Haaretz would publish a report that alleged he was in fact a double agent. Haaretz would go on to claim that in 1967 he had provided Egypt false information about Israel's battle plans, claiming it would begin with ground operations. The Egyptians thus left their aircraft on open runways, which enabled the [[Israel Air Force]] to [[Operation Focus|knock out]] Egypt's air force within three hours of the outbreak of the [[Six-Day War]].<ref name="haaretz.com">{{cite web |last=Melman |first=Yossi |date=2011-03-31 |title=How Israel won the Six-Day War Israel News |url=https://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/features/how-israel-won-the-six-day-war-1.353213?localLinksEnabled=false |access-date=2013-10-30 |work=Haaretz}}</ref>

After the war, monitoring terrorist activity in the [[West Bank]] and [[Gaza Strip]] became a major part of Shabak's mission. During 1984–1986, Shabak experienced a major crisis following the [[Kav 300 affair]] in which four Palestinian militants hijacked a bus. Two of the hijackers were killed in the ensuing standoff and the other two were killed shortly after being taken into custody by Shabak officers, who later covered up the event and conspired to frame a senior [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]] officer.<ref>David K. Shipler, ''Arab and Jew: Wounded Spirits in a Promised Land''. 1986. {{ISBN|0-8129-1273-X}}. pages 89, 90.</ref> Following the affair, Shabak head [[Avraham Shalom]] was forced to resign.

The 1987 [[Landau Commission]], set up to investigate Shabak interrogation methods, criticized the organization and established guidelines to regulate what forms of physical pressure could be used on prisoners. Among the practices authorised were "keeping prisoners in excruciatingly uncomfortable postures, covering their heads with filthy and malodorous sacks and depriving them of sleep." Human rights groups in Israel maintained that this amounts to [[torture]].<ref name=BBC2000>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/637293.stm Israel admits torture] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322185201/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/637293.stm |date=2019-03-22 }} 9 February 2000, [[BBC]]</ref> A 1995 official report by [[Miriam Ben-Porat]], made public in 2000, showed that Shin Bet "routinely" went beyond the "moderate physical pressure" authorised by the Landau Commission. In the report, Israel admitted for the first time that Palestinian detainees were tortured during the [[First Intifada]], between 1988 and 1992.<ref name=BBC2000 />

In 1995, the Shin Bet failed to protect the Israeli prime minister, [[Yitzhak Rabin]], who was [[assassination of Yitzhak Rabin|assassinated]] by right-wing Israeli radical [[Yigal Amir]]. Shin Bet had discovered Amir's plans, and a Shin Bet agent was sent to monitor Amir, and reported that Amir was not a threat. Following the assassination, the Shabak director, [[Carmi Gillon]], resigned preemptively. Later, the [[Shamgar Commission]] pointed to serious flaws in the personal security unit. Another source of embarrassment and criticism was the violent, provocative and inciting behavior of [[Avishai Raviv]], an [[espionage|informer]] of the Shabak's Jewish Unit during the time leading up to the assassination.<ref>See the [http://www.globes.co.il/news/home.aspx?fid=2&did=143448&nagish=1 chapter on Raviv in the Shamgar report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110808192217/http://www.globes.co.il/news/home.aspx?fid=2&did=143448&nagish=1 |date=2011-08-08 }} in Hebrew</ref> Later, Raviv was acquitted of the charges that he encouraged [[Yigal Amir]] to kill Yitzhak Rabin.

A few months after the Rabin assassination, Hamas chief bombmaker [[Yahya Ayyash]] was assassinated in a [[targeted killing]] in which an explosive device was planted in his [[cellular phone]].<ref>Katz, Samuel. ''The Hunt for the Engineer''. Lyons Press, 2002. {{ISBN|1-58574-749-1}}</ref>

Gillon was replaced by [[Israeli Navy]] [[admiral]] [[Ami Ayalon]], who helped to restore the organizational [[morale]], after the debacle of the Rabin assassination, and to rehabilitate its public image.<ref>{{cite web|author=Amir Oren |url=https://www.haaretz.co.il/opinions/1.1379072 |title=איילון מסוגל, ברק לא - מאמרים ודעות - הארץ |work=Haaretz |date=2007-01-15 |access-date=2013-10-30}}</ref>

In 2000, Ayalon was replaced by [[Avi Dichter]], an ex-[[Sayeret Matkal]] [[commando]] and experienced Shabak agent, who tightened the working relationship with the Israel Defense Forces and [[Israeli police]]. Dichter was in charge when the [[al-Aqsa Intifada]] erupted. He turned Shabak into a prominent player in the war on terrorism after the collapse of the [[2000 Camp David Summit]].

In November 2003, four former heads of Shabak ([[Avraham Shalom]], [[Yaakov Peri]], Carmi Gillon and Ami Ayalon) called upon the Government of Israel to reach a peace agreement with the Palestinians.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/nov/30/israel|title=Israel's hard men fight for peace|last=Urquhart|first=Conal|date=November 30, 2003|work=[[The Observer]]|location=London|access-date=May 23, 2010|archive-date=17 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917204951/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/nov/30/israel|url-status=live}}</ref>

In May 2005, Dichter was replaced by [[Yuval Diskin]], who served until 2011.

In 2007, the service launched its first-ever public recruitment drive, unveiling a "slick Website" and buying on-line ads in Israel and abroad in a campaign aimed at "attract[ing] top-tier computer programmers" to its "cutting-edge" IT division. On March 18, 2008, it was announced that Shabak's official website would also offer a [[blog]], where four of its agents would discuss anonymously how they were recruited, and what sort of work they perform; they would also answer questions sent in by members of the public.<ref>{{cite web |last=Franks |first=Tim |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7301522.stm |title=Israel's Shin Bet launches blog |publisher=BBC News |date=2008-03-17 |access-date=2013-10-30 |archive-date=21 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080321104523/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7301522.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> The decision to launch the blog was made by the Shin Bet's top brass, including head [[Yuval Diskin]], and is part of an attempt to attract high-tech workers to the agency's growing IT department. According to Shabak officers, the Web site and blog are aimed also at promoting a more accessible and positive public image for the security service, long associated with "dark, undercover and even violent activity".<ref>Yaakov Katz, [https://www.jpost.com/Israel/Shin-Bet-security-agency-launches-blog "Shin Bet security agency launches blog"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103648/http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Shin-Bet-security-agency-launches-blog |date=2016-03-04 }}, ''Jerusalem Post'', 17 March 2008.</ref>

In 2011, [[Yoram Cohen]] was chosen as the new head of Shabak, and served until 2016.

In 2016, [[Nadav Argaman]] was chosen as the new head of Shabak, and assumed office on 8 May 2016.

On 11 October 2021, [[Ronen Bar]] was announced as the next head of the ISA,<ref name="isrDef">{{cite news |title=Ronen Bar: Israel's next Shin Bet Director |url=https://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/node/52187 |access-date=2021-10-11 |publisher=IsraelDefense website |date=2021-10-11 |language=English}}</ref><ref name="hamodia">{{cite news |author1=Yoni Weiss |title=Ronen Bar Announced as New Shin Bet Head |url=https://hamodia.com/2021/10/11/ronen-bar-announced-as-new-shin-bet-head/ |access-date=2021-10-11 |publisher=[[Hamodia]] English website |date=2021-10-11 |language=English |archive-date=24 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024095848/https://hamodia.com/2021/10/11/ronen-bar-announced-as-new-shin-bet-head/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and took office on 13 October.<ref name=bahazit>{{Cite web|date=2021-10-13|title=בטקס חגיגי: ראש השב"כ הנבחר רונן בר נכנס לתפקידו|trans-title=In a festive ceremony: appointed ISA head Ronen Bar took office|url=https://www.bahazit.co.il/הבוקר-התקיים-טקס-חילופי-ראש-השבכ/|access-date=2021-10-16|website=בחזית|language=he-IL}}</ref>

On 16 October 2023, following the [[October 7 attacks|successful surprise attacks by Hamas against Israel]] and the subsequent outbreak of the [[Gaza war]], ISA director Ronen Bar took responsibility for his role in the failure of Israeli intelligence to predict the oncoming war from Gaza.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Israel National News |title=ISA director takes responsibility for allowing invasion |url=https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/378608 |access-date=16 October 2023 |publisher=Arutz Sheva-Israel National News |archive-date=16 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016203622/https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/378608 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Feldman |first1=Joseph |title=Shin Bet Head Takes Responsibility for No Warning Before Hamas Attack |url=https://vinnews.com/2023/10/16/shin-bet-head-takes-responsibility-for-no-warning-before-hamas-attack/ |access-date=16 October 2023 |publisher=VINnews/The Associated Press |archive-date=17 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017031333/https://vinnews.com/2023/10/16/shin-bet-head-takes-responsibility-for-no-warning-before-hamas-attack/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A subsequent Shin Bet report also stated that Israeli government policies may have emboldened Hamas militants to attack.<ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/04/world/middleeast/israel-oct-7-attack-shin-bet.html| title = In Oct. 7 Report, Israeli Security Agency Puts Some Blame on Netanyahu Government| author = Livni, Ephrat| date = March 4, 2025| access-date = March 17, 2025|newspaper = The New York Times}}</ref>

In August 2024 Bar wrote to Israeli Prime Minister [[Benjamin Netanyahu]], warning that Israel's existence is threatened by Jewish settler riots and attacks on Palestinian villages on the [[West Bank]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-08-22 |title=Shin Bet chief warns Netanyahu, ministers that Jewish terror endangering Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/shin-bet-chief-warns-netanyahu-ministers-that-jewish-terror-endangering-israel/ |access-date=2025-09-16 |work=The Times of Israel |language=en-US |issn=0040-7909}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-09-01 |title=Israel's conduct in the West Bank has worried even some in Israel |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-09-02/gaza-israel-west-bank-new-front/104293238 |access-date=2025-09-16 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref>

On 21 April 2025 Bar submitted an [[affidavit]] to the [[Supreme Court of Israel]], in which he stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanded personal loyalty from him, attempting to use the service capabilities for political and personal gain rather than for [[National security|state security]], before ultimately trying to fire him from the organization.<ref>{{cite news |last=Yoaz |first=Yuval |title=This is not a drill: Ronen Bar's affidavit is a thunderous alarm call for Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/this-is-not-a-drill-ronen-bars-affidavit-is-a-thunderous-alarm-call-for-israel/ |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=[[The Times of Israel]] |language=en-US |issn=0040-7909}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ellis-Petersen |first=Hannah |date=2025-04-21 |title=Netanyahu demanded loyalty before trying to fire me, Shin Bet chief claims |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/21/netanyahu-demanded-loyalty-trying-fire-me-shin-bet-chief-israel |access-date=2025-04-21 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Kershner |first=Isabel |date=2025-04-21 |title=Israeli Security Chief Accuses Netanyahu of Making Improper Requests |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/21/world/middleeast/israel-security-chief-netanyahu-accusations.html |access-date=2025-04-21 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2025-04-21 |title=Netanyahu demanded loyalty before trying to fire me, Shin Bet chief claims |url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/netanyahu-demanded-loyalty-trying-fire-145534334.html |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-GB}}</ref> The affidavit states that Netanyahu explicitly told Shin Bet to conduct surveillance on citizens involved in [[Israeli hostage deal protests|anti-government protests]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

===Accountability===
Former Shin Bet director special assistant Barak Ben-Zur said that since 1948 (or more particularly 1957) the group has been brought under the control of the Knesset in order to monitor its budget. In May 2002, Shin Bet was brought under the purview of the Knesset Foreign and Security Committee, which could investigate whether it is working within legal boundaries which, in turn, involves the [[Constitution, Law and Justice Committee]]. The government legal adviser approves Shin Bet activities while the Political-Security Cabinet receives reports directly from the Shin Bet director and ensures that every detainee has the right to submit a complaint.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/aljazeeraworld/2013/10/inside-shin-bet-20131020112634404283.html |title=Inside Shabak |publisher=Al Jazeera English |date=24 October 2013 |access-date=2013-10-30 |archive-date=31 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031010921/http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/aljazeeraworld/2013/10/inside-shin-bet-20131020112634404283.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Information gathering, interrogation methods and torture==
Shabak also extracts information by [[interrogation|interrogating]] suspects, and there is a history of concern over its methods. In 1987, after complaints about excessive use of violence, the [[Landau Commission]] drew up guidelines condoning "moderate physical pressure" when necessary, but in 1994, State Comptroller [[Miriam Ben-Porat]] found that these regulations were violated and senior GSS commanders did not prevent it.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://domino.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/0/a4d9ee9284f95f798525697b0049366c?OpenDocument |title=A/55/373 of 11 September 2000 |publisher=Domino.un.org |access-date=2013-10-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101134603/http://domino.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/0/a4d9ee9284f95f798525697b0049366c?OpenDocument |archive-date=1 November 2013 }}</ref>

Later, in 1999, the [[Supreme Court of Israel|Israeli Supreme Court]] heard several petitions against Shabak methods, including (1) "forceful and repeated shaking of the suspect's upper torso, in a manner which causes the neck and head to swing rapidly," (2) manacling of the suspect in a painful "Shabach position" for a long period of time, (3) the "frog crouch" consisting of "consecutive, periodical crouches on the tips of one's toes," and other methods. The Court ruled that Shabak did not have the authority, even under the defense of "necessity," to employ such methods.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://elyon1.court.gov.il/files_eng/94/000/051/a09/94051000.a09.pdf |title=Public Committee Against Torture v. Israel |publisher=Elyon.court.gov.il |access-date=2013-10-30 |archive-date=28 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928231041/http://elyon1.court.gov.il/files_eng/94/000/051/a09/94051000.a09.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> This ruling was hailed as landmark against using torture on Palestinian prisoners.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/439554.stm World: Middle East Israeli 'torture' methods illegal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150720023222/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/439554.stm |date=2015-07-20 }}, September 6, 1999, [[BBC]]</ref>

Shabak claims it now uses only psychological means, although [[B'Tselem]] and [[Amnesty International]] continue to accuse Shabak of employing physical methods that amount to torture under international conventions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.btselem.org/english/publications/summaries/199103_torture.asp |title=The Interrogation of Palestinians During the Intifada: Ill-Treatment, "Moderate Physical Pressure" or Torture?, March 1991 &#124; B'Tselem |publisher=Btselem.org |date=1990-01-01 |access-date=2013-10-30 |archive-date=17 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110317065801/http://www.btselem.org/English/Publications/Summaries/199103_Torture.asp |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.btselem.org/english/torture/interrogation_regime.asp |title=The ISA interrogation regime: routine ill-treatment &#124; B'Tselem |publisher=Btselem.org |date=2011-01-01 |access-date=2013-10-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/region/israel-occupied-territories/report-2009 |title=Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories &#124; Amnesty International |publisher=Amnesty.org |access-date=2013-10-30 |archive-date=5 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005052948/http://www.amnesty.org/en/region/israel-occupied-territories/report-2009 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.btselem.org/english/publications/summaries/201010_kept_in_the_dark.asp |title=Kept in the Dark, Oct. 2010 &#124; B'Tselem |publisher=Btselem.org |access-date=2013-10-30 |archive-date=1 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401105908/http://www.btselem.org/english/publications/summaries/201010_kept_in_the_dark.asp |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2015, [[Physicians for Human Rights–Israel]] noted that petitions against Shin Bet had quadrupled since 2012, and claimed that over the past several years of 850 complaints against Shin Bet for torture none had yet been investigated. It further claimed that no system of legal redress against security organizations is in place.<ref>Tamar Pileggi, [http://www.timesofisrael.com/850-shin-bet-torture-complaints-yield-no-investigations/ '850 Torture Complaints yield  no investigations,' ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151030121050/http://www.timesofisrael.com/850-shin-bet-torture-complaints-yield-no-investigations/ |date=2015-10-30 }} [[The Times of Israel]] 11 February 2015.</ref>

Shabak has also worked closely with the [[Israeli Air Force]] in "[[targeted killings]]" of field commanders and senior leaders of Palestinian militant factions<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14577593 |title=BBC News - Israel pounds Gaza after deadly attacks near Eilat |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=2011-08-18 |access-date=2013-10-30 |archive-date=18 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018001613/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14577593 |url-status=live }}</ref> of [[Hamas]], the [[Palestinian Islamic Jihad|Islamic Jihad]], the [[Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades]], and [[Fatah]]. These killings are usually done by [[helicopter gunship]]s. Both the IAF commanders and Shabak agents sit together in the command center to monitor the operations. Shabak's task is to give intelligence about when and where the target will be available for a strike and then react to IAF [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|drone]] feedback to ensure the men at the location are indeed the correct targets.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Katz|first=Yaakov|url=https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/the-story-of-idfs-innovative-tactic-to-avoid-civilian-casualties-in-gaza-663170|title=How the IDF invented 'Roof Knocking', the tactic that saves lives in Gaza|date=25 March 2021|work=Jerusalem Post|access-date=13 July 2022|archive-date=13 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713131810/https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/the-story-of-idfs-innovative-tactic-to-avoid-civilian-casualties-in-gaza-663170|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Detentions===
Salah Haj Yihyeh, a Palestinian who runs mobile clinics for [[Physicians for Human Rights]], was detained for questioning by the Shin Bet.{{dubious|date=October 2014}} In the questioning, Yihyeh answered questions about the activities of the organization, its budget, the identity of its donors, and details about others employed by PHR. The board of Physicians for Human Rights, in a letter to Shin Bet chief Yuval Diskin, rejected the "crossing of a red line in a democracy." The letter argued that since the only cause for calling an employee of the group was to scare him, the tactics were unacceptable and illegal.<ref>Akiva Eldar, [https://www.haaretz.com/physicians-for-human-rights-official-detained-by-shin-bet-1.247070 ''Haaretz'': "Physicians for Human Rights official detained by Shin Bet"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160103015724/http://www.haaretz.com/physicians-for-human-rights-official-detained-by-shin-bet-1.247070 |date=2016-01-03 }}, 3 June 2008.</ref>

Palestinian journalist [[Mohammed Omer (journalist)|Mohammed Omer]] was detained in July 2008 by Shin Bet. Having arrived on a flight from London, Omer says that he was taken aside by a Shin Bet official. According to ''[[Democracy Now!]]'', Omer was later questioned, strip-searched, and then beaten by eight armed Shin Bet officers. Injuries from the ordeal allegedly left Mohammed Omer in the hospital for a week.<ref>[http://www.democracynow.org/2008/7/7/award_winning_palestinian_journalist_mohammed_omer ''Democracy Now'': "Award-Winning Palestinian Journalist Mohammed Omer Details Abuse by Israeli Security Officials"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322185207/https://www.democracynow.org/2008/7/7/award_winning_palestinian_journalist_mohammed_omer |date=2019-03-22 }}, 7 July 2008.</ref> The Israeli government rejected Omer's claims outright, citing inconsistencies in his allegations and noting that such investigations are strictly regulated.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.imra.org.il/story.php?id=39885|title=IMRA - Wednesday, July 9, 2008 RESPONSE TO ALLEGATIONS REGARDING MOHAMMED OMER AL-MUGHAIER|website=www.imra.org.il|access-date=2 November 2022|archive-date=2 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102095946/http://www.imra.org.il/story.php?id=39885|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Ofra Edelman, [https://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1100122.html "Charges dropped against settler filmed shooting Palestinians" – ''Haaretz''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100208012956/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1100122.html |date=2010-02-08 }}, 14 July 2009.</ref>

== Shin Bet in popular culture ==
In 2012, six former heads of the Shabak (Shalom, Peri, Gillon, Ayalon, Dichter, and Diskin) featured in a documentary film, ''[[The Gatekeepers (documentary film)|The Gatekeepers]]'', and discussed the main events of their tenures.

In [[Messiah (American TV series)|''Messiah'']], [[Tomer Sisley]] plays Aviram Dahan, a Shin Bet operative who is fighting terrorism to protect his country.

The film [[The Engineer (film) |''The Engineer'']] follows the Shin Bet operation to assassinate [[Hamas]] bombmaker [[Yahya Ayyash]].

==Shabak directors==
[[File:Reuven Rivlin with Yoram Cohen and Nadav Argaman (1).jpg|thumb|[[Reuven Rivlin]] the [[president of Israel]] with [[Yoram Cohen]] the former director of the Shin Bet and [[Nadav Argaman]] the new director. May 2016]]

* [[Isser Harel]] (1948–1952)
* [[Izi Dorot]] (1952–1953)
* [[Amos Manor]] (1953–1963)
* [[Yossef Harmelin]] (1964–1974)
* [[Avraham Ahituv]] (1974–1981)
* [[Avraham Shalom]] (1981–1986)
* [[Yossef Harmelin]] (1986–1988)
* [[Yaakov Peri]] (1988–1994)
* [[Carmi Gillon]] (1995–1996)
* [[Ami Ayalon]] (1996–2000)
* [[Avi Dichter]] (2000–2005)
* [[Yuval Diskin]] (2005–2011)
* [[Yoram Cohen]] (2011–2016)
* [[Nadav Argaman]] (2016–2021)
* [[Ronen Bar]] (2021 – June 15, 2025)<ref>[https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/deputy-shin-bet-chief-to-temporarily-replace-ronen-bar-when-term-ends-sunday/ Deputy Shin Bet chief to temporarily replace Ronen Bar when term ends Sunday]</ref>
* (acting director) 'S' (June 16, 2025 – October 5, 2025)<ref name=jepoex>[https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-857509 Who is 'S', new acting Shin Bet chief replacing Ronen Bar? - explainer], ''[[The Jerusalem Post]]''</ref>
* [[David Zini]] (since October 5, 2025)<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lis |first=Jonathan |date=5 October 2025 |title=David Zini Officially Begins Tenure as Shin Bet Chief |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-10-05/ty-article/.premium/david-zini-officially-begins-tenure-as-shin-bet-chief/00000199-b39c-d9d3-ab9b-f3dd89f50000 |access-date=5 October 2025 |work=Haaretz}}</ref>

==See also==<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order ♦♦♦--->
* [[Aliyah Bet]]
* [[Israel Border Police]]
* [[Israeli security forces]]
* [[Population and Immigration Authority]]
* [[Yamam]] (National Counter-Terrorism Unit)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commonscatinline}}
* {{Official|https://www.shabak.gov.il/english/Pages/index.html }} {{in lang|en}}
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/1791564.stm Profile: Israel's Shin Bet agency], [[BBC News]]
* [http://www.btselem.org/english/legal_documents/HC5100_94_19990906_Torture_Ruling.PDF Text of the 1999 High Court of Justice ruling] (PDF)
* [http://www.btselem.org/english/torture/background.asp B'tselem report on Shabak's use of torture]
* [http://interactive.aljazeera.com/aje/PalestineRemix/inside-shin-bet.html "Inside Shin Bet" video documentary] by [[Al Jazeera Arabic|Al Jazeera]]
* [http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3230365,00.html Knesset said "No" to Shabak]
* {{Cite book |last=Yousef |first=Mosab Hassan |title=Son of Hamas |publisher=[[Tyndale House]] |location=Carol Stream, Illinois |date=March 3, 2010 |page=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781414333076/page/288 288] |isbn=978-1-4143-3307-6 |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781414333076/page/288 }}
* [http://vk.com/album-30272167_153018835 Photos]

{{External national intelligence agencies}}
{{Israeli Intelligence Community}}
{{Authority control}}
==Notes==
{{notelist}}

[[Category:Shin Bet| ]]
[[Category:Israeli intelligence agencies]]
[[Category:Words and phrases in Modern Hebrew]]
[[Category:1949 establishments in Israel]]