Israel’s leading PM contender Gadi Eisenkot carries gun as Shin Bet denies full protection

Gadi Eisenkot, former IDF chief of staff and a leading contender for prime minister, is carrying a personal firearm while campaigning amid ongoing security threats. His campaign team states that despite receiving specific threats, including references to the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin, repeated requests for protection from the Shin Bet’s elite Unit 730 have been stalled or denied. Eisenkot, who frequently appears in public crowds, has also expressed concerns regarding potential threats from Iran.

The Shin Bet maintains that Eisenkot does not meet the established criteria for protection by Unit 730. Officials argue that such protection is reserved for individuals currently holding specific government positions or those with specific security classifications. Shin Bet chief David Zini apologized for administrative delays in processing the campaign's requests but confirmed that intelligence assessments have not changed the agency's professional determination regarding his eligibility.

Eisenkot’s camp has questioned why the ministerial committee responsible for public figure protection has not convened to discuss the case. Meanwhile, the Shin Bet has indicated that authorization for Eisenkot’s private security detail—comprised of veterans from specialized IDF units—to carry weapons should be granted within days. Eisenkot has reportedly completed a shooting-range test as a personal precaution. The situation has sparked broader questions regarding security standards for election candidates and whether political considerations influence professional security decisions.