Former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot has been forced to hire private bodyguards ahead of the elections in October, according to an Israeli television report on Wednesday, as he is not entitled to a state-issued, armed security detail.

Channel 12 news reported that Eisenkot, who heads the centrist Yashar party and is now polling as the foremost contender against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, sent a letter through his campaign field director to Shin Bet chief David Zini, Israel Police Commission Daniel Levy and other security officials regarding the lack of protection.

“In light of a number of incidents that have occurred in recent weeks, as well as a series of troubling publications, we have decided to secure the party chairman with a private security firm,” the letter cited by the network read.

“It should be noted that permission was not given for us to provide him with armed protection, and therefore this is an unarmed security detail,” it continued.

The letter also noted that Eisenkot would be particularly exposed as the election campaign heats up, with the politician regularly making public appearances whose details are advertised to the........

© The Times of Israel