730: The Unit That Finally Moves In to Guard Gadi Eisenkot
Domestic security chiefs have assigned a private firm to protect the Yashar leader after months of bureaucratic delays and shifting threat assessments.
By Andrew Kovalenko ·
A long-standing standoff over the safety of Israel’s political class has reached a decisive turning point. The Shin Bet, the country’s domestic security agency, has officially taken command of security operations for Gadi Eisenkot, the chairman of the Yashar party. The arrangement begins this Sunday, marking the end of a prolonged and often frustrating negotiation process that has defined the leader’s recent political existence.
The operational details of the new protocol are specific and layered. While the Shin Bet assumes direct oversight, the actual guarding duties will be performed by a private security company. This firm will operate under the direct instruction of Unit 730, the elite division within the Shin Bet responsible for high-profile protection. This hybrid model allows the state to maintain strategic control while leveraging private resources for day-to-day surveillance and escort duties.
The decision to move Eisenkot under state protection came after a significant reversal in the security assessment. In August, Shin Bet chief David Zini initially ruled that Eisenkot did not meet the strict criteria required for Unit 730 protection. However, the landscape changed in September when the Advisory Committee for Personal Security reviewed updated intelligence and threat evaluations. The committee concluded that the risk profile had escalated sufficiently to warrant a recommendation for Shin Bet oversight, leading to Zini’s eventual approval.
Despite the approval, the implementation has been sluggish. Yashar party officials told The Jerusalem Post in September that no security detail had been assigned to Eisenkot even after Zini gave the green light. This delay highlighted a gap between bureaucratic authorization and operational reality. The Shin Bet has now clarified the broader framework for such cases, which includes intelligence support, permission for hired security teams to carry weapons, and regular coordination meetings to gauge threat levels.
The legal authority for these measures stems from the Ministerial Committee for Shin Bet Affairs. This body granted Zini the power to set security arrangements for party leaders who do not hold public office and are not otherwise entitled to state protection. This special authorization remains in force until the next Knesset is sworn in, creating a temporary but critical safety net for unelected political figures.
The outcome for Eisenkot is not a universal standard. Yair Golan, the chairman of The Democrats, has also petitioned for Shin Bet protection. He cited a threat level comparable to that of Eisenkot. However, the Shin Bet has denied him immediate protection at this stage. This divergence in treatment underscores the case-by-case nature of these security decisions, where updated intelligence and specific threat assessments drive the final verdict rather than a blanket policy for all party leaders.
With the new arrangements in effect starting this Sunday, the focus shifts to how the private firm and Unit 730 will coordinate in practice. The situation remains fluid, with periodic assessments set to determine if the threat level requires further adjustments to the protective measures. For now, Eisenkot is no longer operating without a state-backed security umbrella, a status that was once unthinkable for a party leader without a formal cabinet seat.
