Amid an active investigation into the alleged “systematic” theft of classified documents from the Israeli military's databases and their transfer to individuals within the Prime Minister’s Office, the Israeli occupation government on Sunday endorsed a bill to establish a new intelligence oversight unit directly under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's authority, The Times of Israel reported.

The proposed legislation aims to create an “Ipcha Mistabra” (devil’s advocate) unit tasked with challenging conclusions drawn by existing intelligence agencies.

Reporting directly to Netanyahu, this unit would have the authority to request intelligence data from any Israeli intelligence agency, including Military Intelligence, Shin Bet, Mossad, and the "National Security" Council.  

The Ministerial Committee for Legislation’s approval ensures the government’s support as the bill progresses to the Knesset, where it must pass three readings to become law.  

Under the proposed framework, the unit would analyze and synthesize intelligence data, offering alternative perspectives on security challenges to the Prime Minister, Security Minister, and intelligence agencies. Regular reports to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee would also be mandated.  

According to explanatory notes accompanying the bill, this oversight mechanism is intended to address failures within the intelligence and security establishment, particularly in light of the inability to foresee the Palestinian Resistance's Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on October 7, 2023.

The head of the unit, operating largely independently, would be prohibited from employing individuals who had served in intelligence agencies within the past two years. They would also be legally required to provide analyses on matters brought before the security cabinet and offer evaluations to security agencies on any military plan or operation requiring approval. Decisions by the security cabinet or security leaders would require input from the unit.  

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While a similar unit exists within the Israeli military, its limited influence and failure to challenge dominant perspectives were cited as reasons for the proposal, The Times of Israel pointed out.

Likud MK Amit Halevi, the bill’s sponsor, argued that the October 7 intelligence failure resulted from the military and security agencies’ reluctance to question their own assumptions.  

Flag ban legislation approved

Separately, The Times of Israel reported that the ministerial committee approved a bill banning the display of what it described as "enemy" nation flags, including the Palestinian flag, at institutions funded or supported by the Israeli occupation regime.

Sponsored by Deputy Knesset Speaker Nissim Vaturi (Likud), the amendment to the penal code designates gatherings of two or more individuals waving such flags as unlawful assemblies, punishable by up to a year in prison and a minimum fine of NIS 10,000 ($2,700).  

The legislation targets institutions like universities, where Palestinian flags have been displayed during protests. Vaturi has criticized anti-government demonstrators in the past, accusing them of acting as a “branch” of Hamas.  

Similar legislation promoted by far-right factions last year failed to pass amid opposition from university presidents.  

The committee’s approval follows last week’s endorsement of other security-related measures, including the mandatory adoption of a "national security" strategy, extending emergency media censorship regulations, and permitting police to covertly access suspects’ computers with secret warrants, The Times of Israel noted.

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