Shin Bet to Secure Yair Golan and Ofer Vinter Ahead of Elections

The Shin Bet security agency will provide security for Yair Golan, chairman of the Democratic Party, starting Sunday, funded by the state. This decision comes just two days before the elections and follows a petition Golan filed with the Supreme Court regarding his security. Ofer Vinter, chairman of Amcha Israel, will also receive security from the organization. Golan's security was approved after his party petitioned the Supreme Court, demanding that Shin Bet head David Zinai take responsibility for his protection as part of the agency's duty to safeguard democratic institutions. State representatives presented a security plan for Golan, promising updates based on threat assessments, which was subsequently implemented. This occurred after Supreme Court President Yitzhak Amit advised Golan to withdraw his petition, hinting that the court would not intervene in the Shin Bet's considerations.

Separately, the Shin Bet also informed the "Yashar!" party on Saturday that Gadi Eisenkot would be secured starting Sunday by a private security firm, guided by the national unit for personal security. The party had previously been told the agency would not secure Eisenkot, contrary to the advisory committee's stance. However, the Shin Bet stated that Zinai approved measures to provide optimal security for party leaders, in line with a ministerial committee decision. "Intelligence units within the organization will provide a framework of supervision and intelligence accompaniment, including monitoring and building a threat assessment picture around all party leaders," the agency added. The Shin Bet is also preparing to secure Eisenkot on election day and has removed social media accounts spreading foreign influence ahead of the vote.