Democrats Party Petitions Supreme Court for Yair Golan's Security Detail

The "Democrats" party filed a petition with the Supreme Court of Israel on Tuesday, demanding that the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) provide security for party chairman Yair Golan. The party stated that Golan is currently without security despite the police classifying the threat level against him as high. The petition highlights that Golan faces dozens of specific death threats, and that each day without security leaves him vulnerable. The party is requesting an interim order, a temporary injunction, and an urgent hearing.

The Democrats argue that the situation is absurd and life-threatening, noting that while the Israeli police raised Golan's risk level to 4 out of 6, the same level assigned to Gadi Eisenkot, Golan has not been approved for security. The petition includes documentation of online threats against Golan, such as wishes for his death, threats of violence against him and his family, and calls for his execution. One threat stated, "Yair Golan, I wonder what blood he has in his veins... he should stand trial and then a bullet in the head." Another read, "You are on your way, we will take your eyes out, you and your family will be wiped out... your sentence is hanging."

Furthermore, the petition mentions an incident where a brick was thrown at Channel 12 studios with a death threat letter attached, which included Golan's name as a target. The Democrats contend that securing Golan is central to the Shin Bet's mission, as a candidate unable to appear in public without risking his life is limited in campaigning, which undermines the election process itself.

This legal action follows a report two days prior that Shin Bet head Ronen Bar approved security for Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the "Yisrael" party, until the elections. The Democrats had previously threatened to file a petition if Golan was not granted security.