Full Breakdown
Shin Bet Director Cancels Pride Month Event and Shifts LGBTQ Group Funding
6/25/2026, 12:48:01 AM
Cancellation of Pride Month Event and Funding Reallocation
Israel’s internal security agency, the Shin Bet, announced the termination of its planned Pride Month activities for 2024. Director David Zini ordered the cancellation of a scheduled lecture series, the removal of planned Pride-themed screensavers, banners, stickers and flags, and instructed the human-resources department to transfer the LGBTQ employee group’s dedicated budget into the agency’s general budget, leaving the group without separate funding. The decision was communicated to organizers at an advanced stage of preparation, and no official request for the cancellation reached the head of the service, according to a Shin Bet statement.
Background: LGBTQ Inclusion in Israeli Security Agencies
Prior to this decision, the Shin Bet had maintained an internal LGBTQ staff group and had been cited for promoting equality alongside similar units in the Mossad and Israel Police. The Knesset hosts an informal LGBTQ caucus, and during 2019-2022 the Foreign Ministry raised a Pride flag for the first time in Israel’s history. The recent move marks a departure from that recent trajectory of inclusion.
Key Figures and Organizations
- David Zini – Director of the Shin Bet, author of the cancellation order.
- Aguda – The Association for LGBTQ Equality in Israel – Main national LGBTQ advocacy group, which condemned the decision.
- Amichai Chikli – Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Combatting Antisemitism (Likud).
- Yair Golan – Chair of the Democrats party, former opposition leader.
- Yair Lapid – Leader of the opposition and former prime minister.
Official Statements & Responses
The Shin Bet clarified that no formal request to cancel the event reached its leadership and reiterated that any group wishing to hold a lecture may do so if it complies with existing procedures. Minister Chikli argued that security agencies should not promote gender or LGBTQ agendas, emphasizing their primary security mandate. Opposition figures Golan and Lapid stressed that LGBTQ personnel pose no security risk and that discrimination, not identity, threatens the agency. Aguda issued a statement urging Zini to reverse the decision and refocus on security threats.
Criticism & Opposition
Opposition lawmakers and LGBTQ advocates described the cancellation as a regression from previously endorsed inclusion policies. Lapid labeled the conduct “a disgrace,” while Golan highlighted that “discrimination, extremism, and messianism are the threat.” Aguda expressed shock and demanded immediate reversal, warning that the move marginalizes LGBTQ employees who serve the state.
Data & Statistics
- The LGBTQ group’s budget was reallocated to the Shin Bet’s general budget, eliminating dedicated funding for the group.
- No monetary figures were disclosed in the reports.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The Shin Bet declined to comment on the rationale behind the cancellation, providing no explanation for the budget transfer or the timing of the decision. Sources cited the directive as originating from “high up in the chain of command,” but no official documentation was released, leaving the precise motivations and financial details unverified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It is not the role of national security organizations to promote gender and LGBTQ agendas.” — Amichai Chikli, Minister
- “LGBTQ people are not a threat to Israel’s security,” — Yair Golan, Democrats chair
- “ The Aguda Association for LGBTQ Equality in Israel said that it was "shocked," and demanded that Zini retract his decision, saying that "It would be better for the head of the Shin Bet to focus on Israel's security rather than on silencing and excluding his employees from the LGBTQ community.” — Aguda, spokesperson
- “Our LGBTQ service members are just as good as any other service member and save Israeli lives just like any other service member.” — Yair Lapid, Opposition leader
- “Discrimination, extremism, and messianism are the threat,” — Yair Golan, Democrats chair
What’s Next
Aguda and opposition politicians have called for Zini to reverse the cancellation and restore funding. The issue is expected to feature in upcoming parliamentary debates on diversity within security forces, and further statements from the Shin Bet may clarify the agency’s policy direction.
