Ofer Winter Declines Shin Bet Security, Citing Self-Sufficiency

Ofer Winter, chairman of the "Am Israel" party, announced Thursday that he is refusing security protection from the Shin Bet. This decision comes a day after a ministerial committee authorized the head of the Shin Bet, David Barnea, to determine whether and how to provide security for party leaders who are not currently serving as Knesset members or ministers. Winter stated, "I am young and strong enough to protect myself. I do not need security, please save the money for more important things." He clarified that he sees no need to wait for the Shin Bet chief's decision, as he is preemptively declining the security detail.

The committee's decision on Wednesday pertains to three party leaders running in the upcoming 26th Knesset elections who are not currently lawmakers or ministers: Gadi Eisenkot, Yair Golan, and Ofer Winter. Barnea is tasked with assessing the security needs and threats for each individual and determining the appropriate security package until the new Knesset is sworn in.

Meanwhile, the "Democrats" party announced it would petition Barnea to provide security for its chairman, Yair Golan. The party claims the threat level against Golan has recently increased, possibly linked to public controversy surrounding him, and urged a swift decision. Gadi Eisenkot's security situation also remains under consideration.