Shin Bet must protect Eisenkot before political violence brings Israel another tragedy – editorial

The Jerusalem Post criticizes Shin Bet chief David Zini's decision not to provide security to Yashar Party head Gadi Eisenkot, a leading challenger to Benjamin Netanyahu in the upcoming October 27 election. This decision is deemed perplexing and worrisome given the history of political violence in Israel, notably the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin in 1995, and ongoing threats against Eisenkot on social media, as well as warnings from the defense sector about hostile actors like Iran targeting officials. Eisenkot's campaign has hired private security and submitted written objections, stating, "The atmosphere on the Israeli street, as well as on social media, is becoming increasingly heated, and threats are emerging and multiplying." The article notes that both Netanyahu and Yair Lapid received full security details in the 2022 election. Eisenkot's team has suggested the decision might be politically motivated, aiming to prevent him from appearing "prime ministerial" with a security detail.