Eisenkot’s team said to tell Shin Bet candidate is under threat and has no state protection

Former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot has been forced to hire a private bodyguard firm in the leadup to the elections, since he is not entitled to a state-issued security detail, Channel 12 reports.

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 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 reads.

“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 continues.

The letter also notes that Eisenkot is particularly exposed as his election campaign heats up, with the politician regularly touring the field, holding conferences, and other events whose details are advertised to the public ahead of time.

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 outlet notes, despite rising fears of political violence as elections draw near.

According to Channel 12’s report, the Shin Bet has not yet provided a response to Eisenkot’s letter and the issue of his security is under review.

The letter from Eisenkot’s campaign comes after several Hebrew reports claimed yesterday 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, and the Ynet news outlet said the Shin Bet beefed up security for several individuals thought to be targets.