Ministers said to approve lifetime security detail for Sara Netanyahu, five-year extension for sons

The Ministerial Committee on Shin Bet Affairs has approved a request to extend the security detail for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s wife, Sara Netanyahu, for life, and to extend security protection for the couple’s two sons for five years, regardless of the outcome of future elections, according to Hebrew media reports.

The committee is said to have unanimously adopted the move on the recommendation of Shin Bet chief David Zini, who, according to earlier Hebrew media reports, submitted the request after pressure from Netanyahu and his wife, who had argued that the war with Iran and other security developments justified the extended protection.

Netanyahu, who is himself guaranteed protection for the next 20 years, was reportedly seeking the extension to go into effect immediately, regardless of the results of the upcoming elections.

However, officials in the National Security Council and the Shin Bet were said to be hesitant about the move, with sources saying that while they recognize the seriousness of potential threats, they saw no reason to decide now on security arrangements for the next five years.

The Prime Minister’s Office denied initial reports on the request, while the NSC and the Shin Bet refused to comment.

The PMO does not immediately respond to a request for comment on the move’s reported approval.