Police warn, Shin Bet chief opposes: The battle over Eisenkot's security

The ministerial committee for Shin Bet affairs is expected to decide today whether to grant Gadi Eisenkot state security until the elections, following the raising of the threat level against him to level 4 out of 6. The police recommended immediate armed security, but Shin Bet chief David Zini opposed. The professional committee headed by Col. (res.) Ronen Cohen recommended securing him, but the recommendation was delayed in its transfer to the political echelon.

The ministerial committee for Shin Bet affairs is expected to decide today whether to grant Gadi Eisenkot, a candidate for the "Yashar!" party, state security until the elections. The decision comes against the backdrop of the police raising the threat level against Eisenkot to level 4 out of 6, which led to a recommendation for immediate armed security. However, Shin Bet chief David Zini opposed securing him through the service. The professional committee headed by Col. (res.) Ronen Cohen recommended securing him, taking into account the tense election campaign, the escalation of discourse and incitement on social networks, and his status as a major candidate. So far, Eisenkot has been making do with private armed security with an intelligence envelope from the Shin Bet. The decision may set a precedent for securing other candidates who do not hold a state position entitling them to automatic security. The dispute also intensified around a delay in transferring the recommendation to the political echelon, with security sources claiming that Cohen was delaying its advancement, a claim he denied.