In a recently leaked recording aired Saturday evening on Kann News, the head of the ISA “Jewish Division” can be heard telling Judea and Samaria District Police Commander, Col. Avishai Moalem about Jewish residents of the area that “We always want to arrest them for investigation, as much as possible… We arrest these shmucks even without evidence for a few days… Put them in holding cells. With mice.”
Later in the conversation he said they should be arrested for anything that could be found at the time of arrest. When Col. Moalem protested: “And if you find nothing? Arrest them with no cause?” He was given a blunt response: “Yes. Yes, we’ve been down this road many times… wherever they go – we need to arrest them.”
“This Isn’t an Army – It’s Militias”
Later in the conversation, the ISA (Shin Bet) official criticized the IDF’s role in responding to security incidents in the settlements. “The army doesn’t know what it’s doing. It’s not the army, the army is stationed in Lebaon and Gaza. These are a joke, these are militias – they’re the settlers themselves,” he said.
Shin Bet Response: “These Statements Do Not Represent the Service”
The Israel Security Agency responded: “This was an internal discussion about suspects involved in terror activity. That said, the content and tone do not reflect the values of the service. The head of the ISA has ordered a review, and the findings will be presented to him.” The agency added that “arrests are carried out only after thorough intelligence assessments and with judicial approval.”
It’s worth noting that Police Commander Avishai Moalem, who was part of this conversation, is currently suspended and under investigation in a separate case, where he is suspected of leaking information and interfering with appointments. Moalem denies all allegations against him.
“The Shin Bet Must Examine Its Conscience”
Following the explosive report, the Prime Minister’s Office said Saturday night: “It is unacceptable in a country governed by the rule of law for citizens to be arrested without evidence. This conduct resembles that of dark regimes. The Prime Minister will demand a thorough investigation into the activities of the ISA’s Jewish Division.”
Israel Gantz, head of the Binyamin Regional Council and Chairman of the Yesha Council, joined the calls for an investigation and said: “The recordings of the Shin Bet Jewish Division head are shocking. They reveal a deeply flawed and possibly criminal culture of conduct. The Shin Bet must engage in serious self-reflection and give the public clear answers. It is unacceptable for those entrusted with investigations to use abusive tactics that violate the law and human rights.”
Gantz added: “The disgraceful remarks about IDF soldiers and settlers are beyond the pale. The ‘joke’ soldiers he refers to are the same fighters who dashed from their homes on October 7 to defend the country with their own bodies. Many of them are still serving on the front lines.”
He concluded: “After such serious statements, the division head cannot remain in his position. Elected officials in the Knesset and government must take this seriously and investigate the operational methods that have come to light.”
