Shin Bet Director David Zini has moved to end uncertainty surrounding the agency’s decision not to provide an official security detail to Yashar chairman and prime ministerial candidate Gadi Eisenkot.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Zini made clear that the decision was his alone and that responsibility for determining whether Eisenkot should receive Shin Bet protection rests with him.
“The decision over [Eisenkot’s] security detail was made by the Shin Bet chief, who is solely responsible for this matter,” a statement on Zini’s behalf said.
Election Committee Clarifies Its Role
The clarification followed questions about how the decision was reached after the Central Elections Committee said Zini had contacted its chairman, Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg, following a request from the Yashar party for security protection for Eisenkot.
According to the committee, Zini told Sohlberg that the Shin Bet currently had no intelligence suggesting that anyone intended to target or harm Eisenkot.
Sohlberg subsequently asked the Shin Bet chief to notify the committee if intelligence indicating a potential threat emerged during the election campaign.
The committee also emphasized that Sohlberg himself did not have the authority to order that a security detail be assigned to Eisenkot.
Shin Bet Says Threat Assessments Remain Ongoing
Shin Bet sources said the protection of state symbols and senior political figures is governed by law and implemented in accordance with decisions made by the Ministerial Committee for Shin Bet Affairs.
The agency stressed that the absence of an official security detail does not mean Eisenkot is being ignored from a security perspective.
According to the sources, Shin Bet personnel continue to carry out intelligence monitoring and security assessments designed to identify and prevent possible threats against the Yashar leader.
The agency also remains in communication with the private security company currently employed by Eisenkot, ensuring that relevant security concerns can be monitored despite the decision not to provide him with a Shin Bet detail.
Yashar Warns That Eisenkot Faces Growing Threats
The decision has drawn strong objections from Eisenkot’s political movement, which formally challenged it after news of the decision emerged on Saturday night.
Yashar submitted its objections to the relevant authorities and urged them to reconsider the decision, arguing that the threat environment surrounding Eisenkot has become increasingly serious as the election campaign progresses.
The party maintains that the private security currently protecting its chairman is not sufficient to address the risks he faces.
Eisenkot’s staff said the physical threat against him is increasing on a daily basis and argued that the circumstances warrant stronger protection.
Eisenkot Continues Campaigning Across Israel
The dispute comes as Eisenkot continues campaigning ahead of the upcoming Israeli elections.
The former Israel Defense Forces chief has been making public appearances across the country, including a recent visit to Kibbutz Nir Oz near the Gaza border.
Such appearances place Eisenkot in highly visible settings and have added urgency to the debate over the level of protection appropriate for a leading political candidate.
The disagreement therefore centers not only on whether a formal Shin Bet detail should be assigned, but also on how the agency evaluates threats against political figures during an active election campaign.
What Happens Next
For now, Zini’s position remains that the decision falls under his authority as Shin Bet director.
The agency will continue monitoring intelligence for any indication of a credible threat against Eisenkot.
If new intelligence emerges suggesting that the Yashar chairman faces a specific or heightened danger, the Shin Bet could reassess the protection arrangements.
Yashar, meanwhile, is expected to continue pressing authorities to reverse the current decision, maintaining that Eisenkot’s existing private security arrangements do not adequately reflect the level of risk surrounding him.
Summary
The Shin Bet has clarified that Director David Zini personally decided not to assign an official security detail to Gadi Eisenkot.
The Central Elections Committee confirmed that no intelligence currently indicates an intention to harm the Yashar leader, while stressing that its chairman has no power to compel the Shin Bet to provide protection.
Despite the agency’s position, Eisenkot’s party says threats against him are escalating and that his private security team is inadequate.
The Shin Bet says it will continue intelligence monitoring and reassess the situation if new evidence of a threat emerges.
