Israeli Cabinet Committee Approves Lifetime Security for Netanyahu and Wife

The Israeli Cabinet Committee on Shin Bet affairs has approved lifetime security protection for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara Netanyahu. This decision, made on July 16, 2026, follows the recommendation of Shin Bet chief David Zini and goes against the advice of professional security officials. Netanyahu's children, Yair and Avner, will receive security protection for five years. The approval came after significant pressure from the Netanyahu family’s circle.

The security arrangement will remain in place even if Netanyahu loses future elections, ensuring continuous protection for his wife and temporary protection for his children. This marks a departure from the usual practice of adjusting security levels based on current threat assessments. Senior security officials criticized the move, emphasizing that Zini’s appointment was intended for precisely such critical decisions, despite the professional opposition.

The decision was first revealed by Channel 12 News, which reported that the Shin Bet chief recently adopted a position favoring extended security for Sara Netanyahu and her children. The Prime Minister’s office initially denied the reports. The controversy centers on Zini’s rejection of the professional security experts’ recommendation to tie protection levels to fluctuating threat levels, opting instead for a fixed, long-term security commitment.