Israel's National Security Council to Require Polygraph Tests for All Employees

The Israeli Cabinet Committee on Security Affairs is set to convene on Wednesday to discuss and likely approve a proposal by the new head of the National Security Council (NSC), Shmuel Ben Ezra, to mandate polygraph tests for all NSC employees. This move stems from concerns that many professional-level NSC staff have been denied access to sensitive intelligence materials due to lacking the necessary security clearance, which includes undergoing regular polygraph examinations.

The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) is responsible for administering the polygraphs. While its professional staff expressed reservations about imposing mandatory polygraphs on all NSC positions, citing resource and personnel constraints, Shin Bet chief David Zini ultimately approved Ben Ezra's request. The initiative began before Ben Ezra's tenure, following resistance during the recent war from Shin Bet and other intelligence officials to grant NSC personnel, including senior staff, access to classified information without ongoing polygraph screening.

In contrast to other security agencies such as Shin Bet, Mossad, and the Israel Defense Forces, where regular polygraph tests are required to maintain security clearance, NSC employees have only undergone polygraphs at the start of their employment. This policy has limited their access to sensitive intelligence. Shin Bet declined to comment on the report, and the NSC stated it does not discuss classified materials or the content of confidential meetings.