Shin Bet chief David Zini: I alone made decision to deny Gadi Eisenkot security detail

Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) Director David Zini clarified on Sunday that he alone decided against assigning security detail to Yashar head and prime ministerial candidate Gadi Eisenkot.

"The decision over [Eisenkot's] security detail was made by the Shin Bet chief, who is solely responsible for this matter," a statement on Zini's behalf read.

The clarification comes after uncertainty arose over the nature of the decision after the Central Elections Committee (CEC) confirmed in a statement that Zini had contacted it following Yashar's request for the Shin Bet to secure the party leader and former IDF chief.

In its statement, the CEC confirmed that Zini had informed committee head, Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg, that the Shin Bet "does not possess intelligence indicating any intention" to target or harm Eisenkot.

Sohlberg also requested that the Shin Bet chief inform the committee should such intentions be identified later during the election season, further stressing that he does not hold the authority to demand security detail be given to the Yashar chief.

In response to a Jerusalem Post inquiry, Shin Bet sources said Sunday evening that security for state symbols is determined by law and in accordance with decisions by the Ministerial Committee for Shin Bet Affairs.

The agency conducts ongoing assessments and intelligence monitoring to detect and thwart threats against Eisenkot, the sources added, noting that it remains in contact with the private security company employed by the Yashar leader.

Eisenkot's Yashar party decries Shin Bet chief's decision amid 'growing threats'

Following the publication of the decision on Saturday night, Yashar submitted its objections in writing to the relevant authorities, warning that threats against Eisenkot were escalating and calling for the decision to be reversed.

Eisenkot’s staff argued that the private security already assigned to him was insufficient and that "the physical threat against him is increasing every day."