Shin Bet Revises Security for Political Leaders Amid Controversy

The head of the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) has ordered a change in the security approach for political party leaders participating in elections. The "Yashar!" party announced that the Shin Bet informed them of a decision not to provide security for its chairman and prime ministerial candidate, Gadi Eisenkot. The party emphasized that this decision was made despite prior media reports and the position of an advisory commission, according to Channel 13.

Concurrently, the High Court of Justice (Bagatz) has directed the head of the Shin Bet, David Zini, the ministerial committee on service affairs, and the government to urgently review the provision of security for Yair Golan, leader of the "Democrats" party. The court has demanded the results of this review within two days.

In response, the Shin Bet released a security plan approved by David Zini following consultations. The agency believes this plan aligns with the ministerial committee's decision. Shin Bet intelligence units will assess potential threats to party leaders and create individual risk assessments for each. If a party leader opts for private security, their personnel will be permitted to carry weapons even without an immediate threat. The Shin Bet's security department will maintain contact with parties and their hired guards.

"The service will periodically conduct a situation assessment, during which the threat level for each party leader will be checked, and accordingly, the level and method of security implementation for each of them will be determined," the Shin Bet stated. Earlier reports indicated that Gadi Eisenkot was expected to receive state security protection in the coming days, with the personal security unit of the Shin Bet responsible for the safety of the former IDF Chief of Staff and prime ministerial candidate.