Israel’s Democrats party asks court to provide security for Yair Golan — Jerusalem Post

In Israel, the Democrats party and its leader Yair Golan filed a petition with the High Court of Justice demanding that the government and the Shin Bet security service be required to provide him with state security. As The Jerusalem Post reports, the petition was filed against Shin Bet chief David Zini and the government.

Demand for immediate security

The petition states that Golan has no protection from any state body, despite dozens of threats to kill or harm members of his family. The petitioners ask the court to require the state and Shin Bet to immediately provide security for the politician even before an official response is submitted, maintain it until a final ruling and hold an urgent hearing.

The party also asks the court to require the state to submit a preliminary response within 72 hours. Before going to court, the Democrats made three written requests for security. Two appeals were addressed to the head of the Central Elections Committee, with copies sent to security and legal officials. The third letter was sent directly to Zini on September 22, requesting a response by September 27.

Assessment of the threat level

According to the party, Israel Police rated the risk level for Golan at four points on a six-point scale. The Democrats called this level high and the same as that set for Gadi Eisenkot, the head of another opposition party, Yashar.

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At the end of August, a public advisory committee recommended providing Eisenkot with Shin Bet security until the elections, but did not recommend providing it to Golan. The party then accused the committee of political motives. According to the petition, a decision was made on Sunday to provide protection to Eisenkot, although his team told the publication that he had not yet been assigned security.

Earlier this month, the ministerial committee on Shin Bet authorized Zini to determine security measures for party leaders who do not hold public office and are not entitled to state security. These powers will remain in effect until the next Knesset is sworn in.

The court filing also includes screenshots of posts calling for Golan to be shot or hanged, as well as threats against his family. The petition states that the politician’s name appeared in a death threat letter attached to a brick that was thrown at Channel 12 news studios on July 27. According to the petition, Golan was the only party leader mentioned in that letter.