The Ministerial Committee on Shin Bet Affairs has approved a request to grant lifetime security coverage to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s wife, Sara Netanyahu, and to extend security protection for the couple’s two sons for an additional five years, regardless of the outcome of future elections, Hebrew media outlets reported Thursday.

The committee was said to have unanimously adopted the move based on the recommendation of Shin Bet chief David Zini, who, according to earlier reports, submitted the request following pressure from the premier and his wife, who argued that the war in Iran and other security developments justified the extended protection.

Netanyahu, who is himself guaranteed security for the next 20 years, was reportedly seeking the extension to his wife and children’s security coverage to take effect immediately, regardless of the outcome of the upcoming October 27 election.

Practically, the move is intended to grant Netanyahu’s family ongoing security details even if he loses the election, because if he wins, they will automatically receive them anyway.

Officials in the National Security Council and the Shin Bet were said to be hesitant about approving the request, with sources saying that although they recognized the seriousness of potential threats, they saw no reason to decide now on security arrangements for the next five years.

The Prime Minister’s Office denied initial reports on the matter, while the NSC and Shin Bit refused to........

© The Times of Israel