Former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot has been forced to hire private bodyguards ahead of the elections in October, according to an Israeli television report on Wednesday, as he is not entitled to a state-issued, armed security detail.
Channel 12 news reported that Eisenkot, who heads the centrist Yashar party and is now polling as the foremost contender against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, sent a letter through his campaign field director to Shin Bet chief David Zini, Israel Police Commission Daniel Levy and other security officials regarding the lack of protection.
“In light of a number of incidents that have occurred in recent weeks, as well as a series of troubling publications, we have decided to secure the party chairman with a private security firm,” the letter cited by the network read.
“It should be noted that permission was not given for us to provide him with armed protection, and therefore this is an unarmed security detail,” it continued.
The letter also noted that Eisenkot would be particularly exposed as the election campaign heats up, with the politician regularly making public appearances whose details are advertised to the public ahead of time.
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The law does not mandate Eisenkot’s protection by a state-issued security detail, since the former IDF chief of staff is not a figure in government, the report noted, despite rising fears of political violence as elections draw near.
Israel Police Commissioner Daniel Levy (L) and Shin Bet chief David Zini at the state memorial ceremony marking 30 years since the assassination of late prime minister Yitzhak Rabin, held at Mount Herzl cemetery, in Jerusalem, on November 3, 2025. (Moshe Shai/FLASH90)
According to Channel 12, the Shin Bet has not yet provided a response to Eisenkot’s letter and the issue of his security is under review.
On Tuesday, several Hebrew media outlets reported that the security establishment is convinced Iran has stepped up its attempts to harm current and former senior Israeli officials.
The threatened figures were reportedly briefed this week on the Islamic Republic’s intensified efforts to harm high-ranking officials with the Ynet news outlet reporting the Shin Bet beefed up security for several individuals thought to be targets.
The Mossad intelligence agency said last week that together with foreign counterparts, it foiled an Iranian intelligence network that recruited operatives through criminal organizations to infiltrate Israel and harm senior officials.
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