Chairman of the Advisory Committee for VIP Security: Sara Netanyahu's anxiety for her family is natural
Amid the recommendation to provide security for Gadi Eisenkot, Ronen Cohen stated that there are attempts to exploit the committee for political purposes. He explained that the decision was based on a combination of circumstances rather than specific intelligence. Cohen also noted that the Prime Minister's wife is under a "severe threat level" and criticized journalist Uri Misgav.
The chairman of the Advisory Committee for VIP Security, Colonel (res.) Ronen Cohen, stated in an interview with Reshet Bet that some parties are attempting to use the committee for political purposes. "There is no doubt that people like to adorn themselves with these feathers, but the Shin Bet is not a private security company," he emphasized.
Regarding the decision to recommend that the Ministerial Committee approve security for Yeshar! party chairman Gadi Eisenkot, he said it did not stem from a concrete threat, but from a combination of circumstances: a charged election campaign, escalating discourse on social media, and Eisenkot's status as a leading candidate. Cohen noted that the method of approaching the Shin Bet was improper, which "broke the dam" for further requests.
"I have to build the decision so that it stands up to both the test of the Ministerial Committee and the legal test, which is why it took long hours," he explained. Cohen added that no concrete intelligence regarding a threat to Eisenkot had been received; it was a matter of a "general threat" typical of an election period.
Cohen confirmed that the committee faces political pressure from both the right and the left. He recommended providing security for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for life, for his wife as long as he is alive, and for his children for another five years. According to him, the recommendation is backed by intelligence pointing to a "strong and concrete desire for revenge" against the Prime Minister's family. He stressed that professional bodies are unanimous: Sara Netanyahu is at a severe threat level.
"I think there is a bit of a mix-up here between her being very anxious about the fate of her children, herself, and her husband, and the idea that she is exerting pressure. It is the most natural thing in the world," Cohen stated.
During the interview, he sharply criticized journalist Uri Misgav, who had questioned the necessity of security for Yair Netanyahu. Cohen noted that an assassination attempt against Yair had been uncovered, leading to his extraction from Miami to Israel. "If you are obsessed and constantly passing on reports, taking photos from a balcony, what do you want? Do you want him to be assassinated? Do you want to play into the enemy's hands? Certainly, this is worth an investigation," Cohen concluded.
The Democrats party responded by stating that the refusal to provide security for Yair Golan is a political decision. "The responsibility for the security and life of Yair Golan rests with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Shin Bet head David Zini. If they do not separate politics from the duty to protect human life, we will demand that the Supreme Court compel them to do so."
