Yamina head Naftali Bennett was given prime-ministerial Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) protection on Thursday morning, the day after he and Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid signed a coalition deal.
“In the Shin Bet’s capacity to ensure continued democratic order and securing [vital] individuals, and based on the judgment of the attorney-general, starting today, the Shin Bet’s personal security division will guard MK Naftali Bennett,” the security agency said.
Bennett and MK Ayelet Shaked, his Yamina Party deputy, had already been afforded a small security detail after protesters made verbal threats against them joining the coalition deal.
The latest Shin Bet security arrangements for Bennett are a more formal measure extended only to prime ministers, even though he does not yet hold the position.