The Democrats party has filed a petition to the High Court of Justice demanding that the head of the Israel Security Agency (ISA), David Zini, and the Government of Israel provide security for the party's chairman, Yair Golan. The petition, filed on Tuesday, claims that Golan is exposed to concrete and severe death threats that justify immediate intervention by security services. As part of the factual basis, the petitioners attached documentation of statements by various Israelis, including explicit death wishes and threats of physical harm against Golan and his family members.
The Democrats party argues that the lack of government-provided security leaves Golan vulnerable to harm, and requests a temporary order and an interim injunction to mandate immediate protection, citing the proximity to the Knesset elections as a factor increasing the risk. The allegations detailed in the petition include various severe statements, such as calls for the liquidation of the party chairman or the imposition of extreme punishments. Notably, the party highlights the severity of the threats in light of the nature of the statements presented to the court.
Parallel to the filing of the petition, the issue of security for political figures has made headlines in other circumstances. According to N12, the head of the ISA recently approved security for the chairman of the 'Yashar' party, Gadi Eisenkot, provided by the Dignitary Protection Unit. This follows a prolonged period during which Eisenkot's staff demanded security in light of threats, particularly against the backdrop of Iranian threats to harm senior Israeli officials.
The petition regarding Yair Golan adds to a broader discussion regarding the security of public figures during sensitive political periods. The court has yet to rule on the petition, and the Democrats insist on an urgent hearing, citing what they describe as clear warning signs. The position of the ISA or the government regarding the individual risk assessment in Golan's case has not yet been presented to the court in these proceedings. This is a significant legal and political development raising questions regarding the standards used to determine the need for official security for candidates in Knesset elections, especially given the public climate characterized by high tensions and real threats.