Avishai Greenzaig Exposes Gadi Eizenkot Security Spin as Political Campaign

Journalist Avishai Greenzaig challenged the controversy surrounding Shin Bet chief David Zini's decision not to assign security to Gadi Eizenkot. In a detailed post on X, Greenzaig argued that the uproar stemmed from Eizenkot's campaign team aiming to establish him publicly as the main challenger to Benjamin Netanyahu in the upcoming elections. He emphasized that no law or protocol mandates Shin Bet protection for prime ministerial candidates, especially since the direct election system was abolished, removing any official "candidate" status.

Greenzaig criticized the premise that Eizenkot's political standing requires Shin Bet security, warning that accepting this would force the agency into politically deciding who the leading candidate is. He posed questions about how such decisions would be made and why Eizenkot should receive protection over other politicians like Avigdor Lieberman or Naftali Bennett. According to Greenzaig, the campaign's goal is to cement Eizenkot as the leading candidate publicly, diverting attention from other bloc members such as Bennett, Yair Lapid, Lieberman, and Yair Golan.

He also dismissed a public letter from former Shin Bet and police chiefs supporting Eizenkot's security, noting it lacked legal basis and that no intelligence indicated a specific threat against him. Greenzaig referenced former Blue and White leader Benny Gantz, who did not receive Shin Bet protection despite his military background and leadership role.

Addressing earlier reports, Greenzaig pointed out that a threatening message against Eizenkot originated from a Turkish account impersonating an Israeli source to sow division. He highlighted prior media coverage revealing Eizenkot's private security arrangements at large events and the campaign's efforts to portray him as Netanyahu's main rival. Greenzaig concluded that what began as a question about security has morphed into a political campaign pressuring Shin Bet to confer political legitimacy on Eizenkot, calling the campaign "brilliant in simplicity but false and reckless."