Sara Netanyahu Requests Lifetime Security Detail for Herself and Sons from Shin Bet

Sara Netanyahu, wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has formally requested lifetime security protection for herself and her two sons, Yair and Avner, from the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency). This request was reported on Tuesday by Channel 12 News and involves ongoing discussions within the advisory committee to the Ministerial Committee on Shin Bet affairs, which is also considering a budget increase for security measures.

During talks about the Netanyahu family's security arrangements, Sara Netanyahu directly asked the head of Shin Bet, David Zini, to approve permanent protection that would not depend on the outcomes of upcoming elections. However, professional assessments by Unit 730, the Shin Bet’s personal security unit, concluded that the threat level against Sara Netanyahu and her sons is not high enough to justify continuous, permanent security.

Although the professional opinion was submitted to David Zini, he has neither signed it nor forwarded it to the ministerial committee authorized to make the final decision. Zini is reportedly weighing options, including granting a five-year security detail or continuing to adjust protection levels based on changing threat assessments. He is reluctant to outright reject Sara Netanyahu’s request but must balance it against the security professionals’ recommendations.

The decision on this matter is pending, with the Shin Bet leadership considering how best to proceed given the political and security implications.