Sara Netanyahu Granted Security Detail Until End of Husband's Life

A ministerial committee granted Sara Netanyahu a security detail that will last until the end of her husband Benjamin Netanyahu's life. She had requested protection for the rest of her own life. Yaron Blum, a former Shin Bet official who coordinates hostage and missing persons issues, criticized the decision in a Thursday interview on 103 FM.

He said deciding security for 20 years for anyone, whether Sara Netanyahu or Sara Cohen, was irrelevant and delusional. Blum added that three-quarters of the committee members do not understand security matters or the Shin Bet. The committee includes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Yariv Levin, Israel Katz, Itamar Ben Gvir and Yoav Kisch.

Blum also faulted Shin Bet head David Zini for recommending lifetime protection under pressure. Blum noted that the committee's decisions cannot be appealed. He said threats against the Netanyahu family from Iran, proxy groups, Islamic Jihad and global jihad make current protection logical, yet lifetime coverage lacks logic.

He explained that Unit 730 of the Shin Bet protects seven state symbols including the prime minister, president, Knesset speaker, Supreme Court president, defense minister, foreign minister and opposition leader, while the Magen unit in the Prime Minister's Office handles ministers and deputy ministers.

Blum separately advocated changing the Shin Bet Law to allow the agency to combat crime families, noting that 20 percent of Israel's residents are Arab Israelis who largely seek integration but fear such groups.