Calls Grow for Independent Committee to Oversee Security for Israeli Public Figures
A public controversy erupted this week following reports about security arrangements for former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, who is currently a leading candidate to become Israel's next prime minister. The Shin Bet chief, David Zini, refused to provide official Shin Bet protection for Eisenkot. Instead, a compromise was reached whereby Eisenkot will hire a private security firm at his own expense, with his bodyguards authorized to carry weapons. His security team was also given a direct contact and connection to the Shin Bet operations center for emergencies.
This refusal by the Shin Bet coincided with a breach of censorship by Channel 14, when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed on his own channel that Iran had attempted to assassinate one of his sons. Meanwhile, the Cabinet Committee on Shin Bet Affairs recently extended security details for Netanyahu, his wife Sara, and their sons Yair and Avner. Netanyahu was granted lifetime close protection regardless of election outcomes, Sara’s protection will continue as long as Netanyahu is alive, and the sons’ security was extended for an additional five years. The annual cost of protecting the Netanyahu family is estimated at around 12 million shekels.
Responsibility for protecting public figures lies with the Shin Bet, supported by the Prime Minister’s Office’s "Magen" unit, which secures senior ministers domestically and abroad. However, the Cabinet Committee on Shin Bet Affairs, chaired by Netanyahu and including ministers Israel Katz, Yariv Levin, Itamar Ben-Gvir, and Yoav Kisch, all appointed by Netanyahu, ultimately decides who receives protection. This committee reviews recommendations from an advisory committee on security for public figures, also appointed by Netanyahu, whose deliberations are confidential.
By law, seven officials are designated as "symbols of government" entitled to protection, including the president, prime minister, Knesset speaker, Supreme Court president, foreign minister, and opposition leader. Yet, the committee recently approved an expanded, permanent security arrangement for Netanyahu and his family regardless of election results. Given that the prime minister appoints both the ministers on the committee and the Shin Bet chief, who declined Eisenkot’s request, the entire process appears vulnerable to political influence, especially during election periods.
Eisenkot’s request seems reasonable given his former role and current political prominence, as well as the real threat from Iran, evidenced by past assassination attempts such as that on Minister Rehavam Ze’evi. This case highlights the need for an independent public committee, free from political interference, to review and reform how decisions on protecting public figures are made. Such a committee would help ensure the personal security of senior Israeli officials and prevent recurring controversies over security allocations for prime ministers’ family members or party leaders not officially designated as government symbols.
