Judge Solberg Denies Security Detail for Former IDF Chief Gadi Eizenkot Ahead of Elections

In 1995, Benjamin Netanyahu, then opposition leader at age 46, requested Shin Bet protection due to threats against his life, but the agency initially hesitated as security protocols for opposition figures were not yet established. After confirming credible threats, Shin Bet assigned two bodyguards to Netanyahu, marking an early precedent for security arrangements that later became standard for Israeli political figures.

Recently, it has emerged that the denial of a state security detail to former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot was not made by Shin Bet but by Judge Hanan Solberg, head of the Central Elections Committee. Eizenkot had requested Shin Bet protection amid his leading position in election polls, but Solberg ruled against granting such security, citing concerns that providing protection based on polling status could politicize the security apparatus and disrupt political balance. Shin Bet instead enhanced Eizenkot’s private security and intelligence coverage without official state protection.

This decision by Solberg has sparked debate about its prudence, with some questioning whether it was a calculated risk given the absence of specific intelligence indicating extraordinary threats against Eizenkot. The article warns that if the decision proves mistaken, it could have tragic consequences, as Israel is not prepared for another political assassination. The piece also references recent pressures on Shin Bet and Mossad to provide lifelong protection to Netanyahu’s family due to ongoing threats.

The author calls for restraint and unity among Israelis, urging citizens to avoid any form of violence or incitement, emphasizing the fragile state of the nation and the critical importance of political stability and security in the current climate.