Shin Bet chief David Zini: I alone made decision to deny Gadi Eisenkot security detail

Shin Bet chief David Zini revealed on Sunday that he was the sole individual who decided not to grant security detail to Yashar party leader and prime ministerial candidate Gadi Eisenkot. Zini's statement on his behalf emphasized that he alone bears responsibility for this decision. This clarification emerged following confusion surrounding the decision, as the Central Elections Committee (CEC) confirmed that Zini had contacted them after Yashar's request for Shin Bet to provide security.

The CEC's statement confirmed that Zini communicated with committee head, Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg, informing him that there was no intelligence suggesting any intent to target or harm Eisenkot. Sohlberg also requested that Zini notify the committee if such intentions were identified later during the election season. He stressed that he does not have the authority to demand security for the Yashar chief.

In response to inquiries from the Jerusalem Post, Shin Bet sources clarified that security for state symbols is governed by law and determined by decisions of the Ministerial Committee for Shin Bet Affairs. The agency continuously assesses intelligence to detect and prevent threats against Eisenkot, maintaining contact with the private security firm employed by the Yashar leader.

After the publication of the decision on Saturday night, Yashar submitted written objections to the relevant authorities, warning that threats against Eisenkot were intensifying and urging a reversal of the decision. Eisenkot's staff contended that the private security currently assigned to him was inadequate, and that the physical threat against him was escalating daily.