Shin Bet chief warns Ehud Barak of potential Iranian threat
Nadav Argaman visits the former prime minister and defense minister's home, warns him he may be targeted by Iran while travelling abroad, Israel Television News Company reports.
the Israel Television News Company reported Monday.
It has been a long time since the state has assigned the 76-year-old former prime minster with security detail while moving around the country and traveling abroad.
Barak has been using his personal gun for protection at his request and with the approval of a ministerial committee, a decision which had aroused controversy.
Argaman informed Barak of recent concerns that Iran would attempt to harm Israeli public figures abroad. The conversation focused on ways to provide him with protection.
Barak revealed last year on Channel 10's Gav Ha'Uma satire show that he has been carrying a gun inside his clutch bag.
"I promise to reveal the secret if you promise not to spread it. Inside (the clutch bag) I have a gun that leaves those who force me to use it less than four seconds," Barak joked.
"I used to have protection. I was cut down a third on good behavior and resource constraints," the former prime minister explained.
"The only security guard left was assigned to Yair (Netanyahu) to protect him from neighbors with dogs and radical left-wing inclinations," Barak said cynically, referring to an incident in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's son cursed a neighbor after she told Yair he should clean after his dog when walking with it in public parks.
Over the past few months, security on Israeli and Jewish institutions across the world has been boosted for fear that Iran would attempt to avenge Israeli strikes against Iranian targets in Syria.
Security has been upped in Israeli embassies, synagogues, and Jewish schools among others. In addition, Israel's envoys sent abroad have been instructed to be extremely alert and to alter their routine in order to thwart potential attempts to target them.
Furthermore, Israel has requested several local authorities in high-sensitivity countries to increase police security on Israeli and Jewish institutions.
