Shin Bet now secures Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot

The Shin Bet, Israel's domestic security agency, has taken over the protection of Gadi Eisenkot, the chairman of the Yashar party, starting Sunday. This change follows a reassessment of the threat level facing Eisenkot, which led to the approval of direct security oversight by Unit 730 of the Shin Bet. A private security company will now be responsible for guarding him, operating under the direct instruction of this unit. This marks a significant shift in the security arrangements for political party leaders in Israel.

The effort to obtain Shin Bet protection for the heads of political parties has been ongoing. In August, Shin Bet chief David Zini initially determined that Eisenkot did not meet the criteria for protection by the elite Unit 730. However, after the Advisory Committee for Personal Security examined updated intelligence and threat evaluations in September, the committee recommended that the Shin Bet oversee his security. Zini then approved the security measures for Eisenkot, and the Shin Bet announced the change in arrangements.

The Shin Bet has set a framework for the security of party leaders, which includes an intelligence oversight and support system, permission for security teams to carry weapons, coordination between the Shin Bet and these teams, and periodic situation assessments to gauge the threat level facing each leader. The Ministerial Committee for Shin Bet Affairs authorized Zini to set security arrangements for party leaders who hold no public office and are not otherwise entitled to state protection. This authorization remains in effect until the next Knesset is sworn in.

Not every party leader who has asked for protection has received it. Yair Golan, chairman of The Democrats, also petitioned for Shin Bet protection, citing a threat level comparable to Eisenkot's. However, the Shin Bet has denied him immediate protection at this stage. This shows that while the framework for protection is in place, not all party leaders have been granted the same level of security.

The change in security arrangements for Eisenkot reflects a broader reassessment of the threat levels facing political figures in Israel. The Shin Bet has now taken over the protection of Gadi Eisenkot, marking a significant step in the ongoing effort to secure the safety of political leaders.

The Shin Bet has been granted the authority to set security arrangements for party leaders who hold no public office and are not otherwise entitled to state protection. This authority remains in effect until the next Knesset is sworn in, showing that the framework for protection is both flexible and ongoing.