Shin Bet Chief Reverses Decision, Approves Security for Gadi Eisenkot

Shin Bet Director David Barnea has approved the agency's VIP protection unit to provide security for Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the National Unity party. This decision marks a reversal from Barnea's earlier stance, where he had decided against providing Eisenkot with Shin Bet protection. The initial refusal followed weeks of discussions and repeated appeals from Eisenkot's office, which cited a growing threat level against the party leader.

Following the initial decision, Barnea clarified that he alone made the call, after a dispute arose concerning the role of the Central Elections Committee chairman, Justice Noam Sohlberg. At the time, the Shin Bet stated, "The decision not to secure Mr. Eisenkot was made by the Shin Bet Director, and he bears sole responsibility for this matter." The issue continued to develop, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructing Barnea to ensure Eisenkot received "adequate security, as needed."

The Shin Bet had previously stated they were operating according to regulations and the law. However, a further shift occurred when the police elevated the threat level against Eisenkot to Level 4, defined as a high threat. The Police Commissioner recommended immediate armed security protection for Eisenkot. The advisory public committee also recommended assigning security to Eisenkot until the elections, contradicting Barnea's earlier position.

Approximately two weeks ago, the Ministerial Committee for Shin Bet Affairs authorized the agency to determine independently whether and how to secure party leaders not automatically entitled to protection due to their position. This authorization left the final decision regarding Eisenkot in Barnea's hands. Now, after a saga spanning over a month, Barnea has changed his decision, confirming that the Shin Bet's VIP protection unit will indeed provide security for the National Unity chairman.