Golan Security Row Highlights Deep Institutional Crisis

A High Court of Justice hearing is scheduled for Tuesday concerning a petition filed by Yair Golan, chairman of the Democrats party, who is seeking security detail from the Shin Bet. Golan's petition arises from the Shin Bet's decision not to assign him protection, despite the Israel Police's threat assessment unit classifying his risk level at 4 out of 6. This case underscores a broader institutional breakdown, with the State Prosecutor's Office struggling to navigate conflicting actions among state institutions.

The petition also questions the Shin Bet chief's motives, suggesting they may not be entirely state-oriented, and highlights the difficulty of effective judicial review over security agencies, particularly when state authorities' compliance with court rulings is in doubt. Golan's request for security was filed shortly after the Shin Bet made a similar decision regarding Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yishai! party, who also faces a Level 4 threat assessment.

Ironically, Golan's petition draws on a past Supreme Court ruling regarding security provided to Prime Minister Netanyahu's son, Yair Netanyahu. In December 2025, the court rejected petitions challenging the decision to provide Shin Bet security to Yair Netanyahu, even while abroad, stating that the decision was not made against professional recommendations, though the specifics remained classified.

The State Prosecutor's Office has submitted an enigmatic response to Golan's petition, co-signed by senior official Aner Helman. This unusual step, requiring affidavits from government officials, reflects a deep-seated distrust between state bodies and the Prosecutor's Office itself. Previously, such affidavits were only submitted at later stages of legal proceedings. The response includes a sworn statement from "Beri," head of the Shin Bet's Personal Security Division, confirming the facts presented in the Prosecutor's Office's notice.

The core of the Prosecutor's Office's statement, which is intended to be ambiguous, refers to a "top secret" decision by the Ministerial Committee on Shin Bet Affairs on September 16th. This committee reportedly did not convene, with Justice Minister Yariv Levin unilaterally deciding that the Shin Bet itself would determine whether to provide security to Golan. The Shin Bet's professional assessment, based on threat levels for specific party leaders not serving as ministers or Knesset members, led to the decision not to assign Golan security, with plans to contact him soon.

Given the complexity and potential sensitivity, it is anticipated that at least part of the Supreme Court hearing will be held in camera and possibly with only one party present, allowing security officials to explain sensitive matters without public embarrassment. Journalists' requests for a live broadcast of the hearing have been denied.