Shin Bet Chief to Decide Security for Key Party Leaders Ahead of Elections
The Shin Bet security agency will now be responsible for determining the security needs of several party leaders ahead of the upcoming 26th Knesset elections. A ministerial committee for Shin Bet affairs decided on Wednesday, without the Prime Minister's participation, to authorize the agency to independently assess and provide security for party leaders who are citizens but not currently entitled to protection due to their official roles.
This decision means that Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar will decide whether and how to provide security for Gadi Eisenkot, Yair Golan, and Ofer Winter. The authorization will remain in effect until the 26th Knesset is sworn in. These three leaders are not currently protected by virtue of a previous state role, necessitating a separate security review.
In contrast, former Prime Ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, along with former Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, continue to receive security protection due to their prior government positions.
The decision comes amid ongoing discussions regarding the security of political candidates during election campaigns. Last month, the advisory committee on personal security recommended protection for Eisenkot, while the security status of other candidates remained undecided at that time.
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