Democrats Petition High Court for Security for Yair Golan Amid Death Threats

The Democrats party has filed a petition with Israel's High Court of Justice, demanding that Shin Bet chief David Zini and the government provide security for party chairman Yair Golan. The party submitted quotes from Israelis issuing death threats and wishing death upon Golan as part of their petition.

The Democrats stated that Golan is exposed to dozens of concrete, explicit, and chilling death threats, and that "every day that passes without security leaves the petitioner as cannon fodder." The petitioners are requesting an interim order, a temporary injunction, and an urgent hearing, citing the threats and the proximity of the Knesset elections.

Among the threats presented to the court were statements such as "Yair Golan, I wonder what blood runs in his veins... he should stand trial and then a bullet in the head," and "You are on your way, we will take your eyes out, you and your family will be wiped out... your sentence is hanging." Another threat read, "May Yair Golan die in severe agony, I will distribute sweets that day," while another asked, "Why don't they eliminate Yair Golan?" and "A person like this should not be in politics, only a gallows."

This action follows a recent decision by Shin Bet chief Zini to approve security for Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, provided by the Personal Security Unit. This approval came after reports that Zini had initially decided against providing security for Eisenkot, despite repeated requests from Eisenkot's team, citing an increased risk level. The Public Advisory Committee had recommended approving security for Eisenkot.

Eisenkot's team had previously sent a letter to the Shin Bet chief in July regarding his security, in light of Iranian threats against senior Israeli officials. The chief of staff for the prime ministerial candidate had warned about the volatility of the elections and their impact on security matters.