Security Agency to Decide on Protection for Opposition Leaders

A special ministerial committee has authorized the Shin Bet security agency to determine whether and how to provide security details for leaders of political parties who are not currently entitled to such protection. The decision, made on Wednesday, empowers the head of the Shin Bet, David Zini, to make these security assessments. This authority will remain in effect until the 26th Knesset is sworn in.

The committee's decision means that figures such as Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the National Unity party, Yair Golan, leader of the Democratic Movement, and Ofer Winter, leader of the 'Am Echad' party, could receive security protection based on the Shin Bet's evaluation. This applies to party leaders who do not currently receive security due to previous government roles.

Notably, the committee meeting was held without Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Justice Minister Yariv Levin was the sole minister in attendance, as other ministers did not show up. In contrast, former Prime Ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, along with former Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, already have security details due to their past high-ranking positions.

The committee's mandate was to address the security needs of party leaders who, despite their current public roles, do not automatically qualify for state-provided security.