Sara Netanyahu said pushing to guarantee security detail for family for next 5 years

Sara Netanyahu, wife of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is seeking to secure long-term personal protection for herself and her two sons for the next five years, according to Hebrew media reports. The request, which she is pushing through officials in the National Security Council and the Shin Bet domestic security agency, aims to ensure continued safety for the family amid heightened political and security tensions. The move comes as the current government faces uncertainty over its electoral prospects. Polls suggest the ruling coalition may fail to secure the 61 parliamentary seats needed to form a governing majority. While the opposition remains divided on whether it can unite behind a common candidate, the political climate has become increasingly volatile. This backdrop has intensified concerns among senior figures within the administration, including Sara Netanyahu, who reportedly believes that losing the upcoming elections could result in the withdrawal of protective measures for her and her children. According to Channel 12 and Ynet, the request for extended security arrangements is being made independently of the election outcome. The family seeks immediate implementation of the proposed changes, regardless of the results. However, neither the National Security Council nor the Shin Bet has yet formally responded to the request. Officials have expressed reluctance to commit to a five-year extension, citing the lack of clear justification for such a long-term arrangement at this stage. Sources close to the matter indicate that the Netanyahu family fears that a change in government following an electoral defeat could lead to the termination of their security protections. This concern is rooted in past experiences, particularly the 2021 election cycle, during which the previous government ceased providing personal security and chauffeur services to Sara Netanyahu and her sons after six months, based on assessments by security experts. Despite these concerns, unnamed sources involved in the discussion told Ynet that the continuation of protection for the family would depend on ongoing security evaluations. They suggested that a new government would likely maintain safeguards as long as the threat level justifies them. In contrast, the prime minister himself enjoys a lifetime guarantee of protection under existing protocols. The push for extended security measures is framed by the Netanyahu team as necessary due to evolving regional threats, including the ongoing conflict with Iran and broader security challenges. Ynet noted that the prime minister’s office has been applying significant pressure on the relevant agencies to approve the request, emphasizing the need for sustained vigilance in light of these factors. The Prime Minister’s Office has categorically denied the reports, as have the National Security Council and the Shin Bet. These institutions have declined to provide further comments, maintaining a stance of non-engagement with the matter. Meanwhile, the Ministry’s committee responsible for overseeing Shin Bet affairs was initially scheduled to address the issue, but the meeting was postponed. Historical context adds another layer to the situation. In 2024, the Walla news site reported that Netanyahu had previously sought lifelong security arrangements for his family, but the request was rejected by security authorities. That attempt, like the current one, was also dismissed by the Prime Minister’s Office.