The security unit tasked with protecting Israeli ministers and deputy ministers, which works under the Prime Minister’s Office, is preparing for an inflow of ministers and deputies living in Judea, Samaria and eastern Jerusalem.
Bezalel Smotrich of Kedumim in Samaria, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Orit Strock of Hebron in Judea, Ohed Tal of Efrat in Gush Etzion, and Avi Maoz, who resides in the City of David right outside the Jerusalem Old City walls, are among them.
According to the limited information available for publication due to government censorship, the ministerial security unit will purchase new types of protective equipment appropriate for the situation in sensitive regions and types of weapons and ammunition not previously regularly used by the unit, Arutz Sheva reported.
Until now, MK Ben-Gvir, expected to be national security minister in the next government, has been under continual protection owing to the numerous threats to his life, with security provided by the Knesset’s Guard’s Oz unit, which protects lawmakers who are not ministers or deputy ministers. His degree of protection has nearly reached that of the defense minister, the second-most protected person in the country after the prime minister.
The Otzma Yehudit Party leader drives in an armored car and a squad of security personnel is deployed ahead of his arrival at any site. In addition, surveillance cameras encircle his residence in Hebron and there is also a security presence outside.
