Justice Yosef Solberg said Sunday that Shin Bet Director David Zini told him there is no reason to provide security for former IDF chief and minister Gadi Eisenkot, and that he has no authority over the matter. Solberg's statement, reported by N12 journalist Yaron Avraham, follows earlier reports that the justice himself had made the decision.
Supreme Court Justice Yosef Solberg clarified Sunday afternoon that the decision not to provide Shin Bet security to former IDF chief and minister Gadi Eisenkot was communicated to him by Shin Bet Director David Zini, who told him there was no reason for such protection. Solberg stated that he lacks authority over the matter. His remarks were reported Sunday by N12 journalist Yaron Avraham, directly contradicting earlier assertions that the justice himself had made the decision.
The clarification follows a day of conflicting reports. Saturday evening at 20:30 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported that Shin Bet Director Zini had rejected Eisenkot's security request, drawing condemnation from Opposition Leader Yair Lapid, who called it a 'scandal,' and prompting Eisenkot's office to accuse the government of shirking responsibility. Earlier Sunday at 13:29 Jerusalem, journalist Ben Caspit stated that Justice Solberg, not Zini, had decided against the security. Solberg's latest statement indicates he relied on the Shin Bet chief's professional assessment.
As The Zioneer reported on July 22, Eisenkot — a former IDF chief and current minister — has not been receiving Shin Bet security coverage, leading his office to assign him a personal guard. The Shin Bet has said it conducts ongoing threat assessments and maintains contact with Eisenkot's private security team.
The reasons for the Shin Bet's assessment that Eisenkot does not require security remain unclear, and no official threat assessment has been released.
7 developments
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- StrongShin Bet chief Zini seeks meeting with PM candidate Eisenkot ahead of possible power transition
- DevelopingDozens of LGBTQ, women's, and civil society groups urge Netanyahu to probe Shin Bet chief Zini
- StrongBennett: Shin Bet chief Zini asked me for security advice, I gave it
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