Gadi Eisenkot will receive security protection through Election Day following a new recommendation from Israel’s Advisory Committee for Personal Security, reversing an earlier decision that had drawn public criticism.
The committee convened Sunday and recommended assigning security protection to Eisenkot, chairman of the Yashar! party, through the upcoming elections.
The change came after members of Eisenkot’s team presented security officials with warnings and new information concerning potential threats against him.
The committee also decided that it will hold a separate meeting at a later date to consider security arrangements for Democrats Party chairman Yair Golan. Similar information regarding possible threats against Golan has also been submitted to authorities.
Sunday’s recommendation reverses a decision reached just one week earlier that generated controversy. Shin Bet Director David Zini had determined at the time that there was no justification for providing Eisenkot with security guards.
Zini explained that the Shin Bet had received no intelligence pointing to a concrete threat against Eisenkot. He emphasized that the determination was based entirely on professional considerations and followed consultations that included Central Elections Committee Chairman Justice Noam Sohlberg.
The initial decision prompted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to intervene publicly later that evening.
Netanyahu instructed Zini to reconsider the issue and ensure that Eisenkot receives an appropriate level of protection based on an assessment of his security requirements.
{Matzav.com}
