Shin Bet Assumes Command of Security for Yashar Leader Gadi Eisenkot

Israel’s domestic security apparatus will assume direct command of protective measures for Gadi Eisenkot, the chairman of the Yashar party, beginning this coming Sunday. The transfer of responsibility marks the culmination of a months-long negotiation between political leadership and security officials, ending a period where the party head operated without state-level oversight of his personal safety.

Under the new protocol, a private security firm will continue to provide the physical guard detail. However, this company will now operate under the direct operational instruction of Unit 730, the elite division within the Shin Bet responsible for personal security. This arrangement ensures that the private team follows specific intelligence directives rather than acting independently.

The decision follows a prolonged effort by Yashar to secure formal protection for its leadership. In August, David Zini, the head of the Shin Bet, initially ruled that Eisenkot did not meet the standard criteria for Unit 730 coverage. That assessment was revised in September after the Advisory Committee for Personal Security reviewed updated intelligence and threat evaluations. The committee subsequently recommended that the Shin Bet take over supervision of the leader’s security.

Despite Zini’s approval, the party reported in September that no security detail had yet been physically assigned to Eisenkot. The delay highlighted the gap between policy approval and operational implementation. The Shin Bet has since clarified that Zini approved a broader set of measures for party leaders, including an intelligence support framework, permission for hired security teams to carry weapons, and regular coordination meetings to assess threat levels.

The authority for these arrangements stems from the Ministerial Committee for Shin Bet Affairs, which granted Zini the power to set security protocols for party leaders who do not hold public office and are not otherwise entitled to state protection. This specific authorization remains in effect until the next Knesset is sworn in, providing a temporary legal basis for the expanded security footprint.

The case of Eisenkot contrasts with the situation of other party leaders seeking similar measures. Yair Golan, chairman of The Democrats, also petitioned for Shin Bet protection, citing a threat level comparable to that of Eisenkot. The security agency has denied Golan immediate protection at this stage, indicating that the criteria for approval are applied case by case rather than as a blanket policy for all opposition or minor party leaders.

The move underscores the increasing security burden on political figures who lead parties from outside the governing coalition or cabinet. As the Shin Bet integrates private contractors into its chain of command, the boundary between state security and private protection continues to blur, raising questions about consistency in how threats are evaluated across different political figures.