Netanyahu: Iran tried to assassinate one of my sons
Against the backdrop of the security debate surrounding Gadi Eisenkot, the Prime Minister revealed a detail that had been under a gag order for months. "Iran targeted one of my sons and tried to murder him; this security is not a luxury. Without it, they will succeed," he said in an interview with Channel 14.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed this evening that Iran tried to assassinate one of his sons. This information had been under a gag order for months.
"There is something that is unbelievable," Netanyahu said in a conversation with Channel 14. "Iran targeted one of my sons, tried to murder him. Therefore, this security is not a luxury; without it, they will succeed. We must show restraint even during an election campaign."
The Ministerial Committee for Shin Bet Affairs approved on July 16 the granting of lifetime security to Netanyahu, with his wife Sara also to be secured for the duration of her husband's life. The Prime Minister's sons will receive security for five years after he leaves office. Since their security was approved until the end of 2026, this service will be provided until the end of 2031. According to various sources, security officials—including the Shin Bet and the Mossad—determined that Netanyahu and his family face a high threat level due to the desire of Israel's enemies to avenge actions and assassinations carried out during the war.
In recent days, a debate has arisen as to whether the chairman of the 'Yashar!' party, Gadi Eisenkot, who appears in polls to be Netanyahu's most prominent competitor for the premiership, is entitled to state security. It was previously revealed that Eisenkot's election headquarters decided to provide him with private security at large events and during field tours, following the Shin Bet's decision not to assign him protection from the VIP Protection Unit.
Eisenkot's chief of staff, Ron Barkai, sent a letter on the subject to the head of the Shin Bet, David Zini. In the letter, Barkai claims that despite the Shin Bet's responsibility for national-level VIP protection, the service did not substantively respond to the request to provide the former Chief of Staff with personal security.
The chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Deputy President of the Supreme Court Noam Sohlberg, addressed the issue, stating that it was conveyed on behalf of Zini that there is no reason to secure Eisenkot:
"The head of the service held a series of consultations with professional bodies, including Judge Sohlberg. The Shin Bet and the Central Elections Committee work in full coordination and cooperation, and the Central Elections Committee's announcement on the subject is correct and faithfully reflects the matters."
Zini confirmed these words a few hours later: "The decision not to provide security was made by the head of the Shin Bet, and he bears sole responsibility for this matter."
