Shake-Up Likely In Israeli Security

Israel’s panel investigating the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin on Monday advised the head of the Shin Bet security services and six other top security officials to hire lawyers - a telltale sign that the Shin Bet’s top ranks may be cleaned out.

On the eve of the trial of Rabin’s confessed assassin, Yigal Amir, the Shamgar Commission told the seven - six Shin Bet officials and a Tel Aviv police commander - that they may be held responsible for the vast security breakdowns that led to the murder, the Justice Ministry said.

“The top of the Shin Bet will be shaved. And more will be kicked out when this is all over,” said a security source close to the highest ranks of the Shin Bet. “I expect that the head of the Shin Bet will have to leave. Had he thought about it more deeply right after the assassination, he would have resigned then. A prime minister was killed. The Shin Bet is responsible. There’s no question.”