Shin Bet to Guard Eisenkot After Initial Refusal Ahead of Israeli Elections
Translated & summarized from Al-Shams by baba
Israel's Shin Bet security agency will provide security for party leader Gadi Eisenkot via a private firm under its command, starting Sunday, just before elections. This follows weeks of refusal despite the party citing escalating threats. The decision comes amid broader debates on leader security, with Yair Golan also seeking protection. Eisenkot and Golan are not automatically entitled to official security details.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Shin Bet will provide security for party leader Gadi Eisenkot via a private firm under its command starting Sunday.
- The decision comes days before Israeli elections after weeks of Shin Bet refusal to guard Eisenkot.
- Eisenkot's party cited escalating threats against him during the election campaign.
- A personal security committee had recommended protection for Eisenkot earlier.
- Yair Golan's party also requested security due to alleged increasing threats.
- Eisenkot and Golan are not automatically entitled to official security protection.
Israel's Shin Bet security agency will provide security protection for Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the "Yashar! Im Eisenkot" party, starting Sunday. The protection will be carried out by a private security firm operating under the direct command of Shin Bet's Unit 730. This decision comes just days before the upcoming Israeli elections and follows weeks of controversy after the Shin Bet initially refused to provide direct security for Eisenkot, a former IDF chief of staff and a candidate for prime minister.
Eisenkot's party had repeatedly requested enhanced security measures due to what they described as escalating threats against him during the election campaign. In late September, the Shin Bet informed the party that it would not offer direct security, a decision that drew political criticism. The party maintained that the risk level surrounding its leader was increasing as election day approached and his public activities intensified.
A personal security advisory committee had recommended providing protection for Eisenkot until the elections, but this recommendation did not result in Shin Bet personnel being assigned to his security detail at the time. Instead, the agency had stated it would offer intelligence support to party leaders, including monitoring threats, assessing risks, and coordinating with private security teams.
The dispute over Eisenkot's security unfolded amidst broader discussions about security arrangements for party leaders. The "Democrats" party also requested protection for its leader, Yair Golan, citing similar concerns about rising threats. Golan had appealed to the Israeli Supreme Court for security, but the court did not issue an immediate order, instead asking the Shin Bet to re-evaluate the necessity based on threat assessments.
Both Eisenkot and Golan are political figures who do not automatically receive the dedicated protection afforded to certain official positions, making their security contingent on the decisions and security assessments of the relevant authorities. The new arrangement for Eisenkot means his security will be managed by a private company but overseen by Shin Bet's Unit 730, which is responsible for protecting senior Israeli officials.
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