Netanyahu family's lifetime Shin Bet protection draws criticism in Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his wife and their two sons will receive multi-year protection by the Shin Bet domestic security agency, a decision made public Thursday that has sparked criticism in Israel, reported Xinhua.

The decision, approved by a ministerial committee overseeing Shin Bet security arrangements, grants lifelong protection for Netanyahu and protection for his wife Sara as long as Netanyahu lives, with their sons set to receive security for at least five years, Israel's state-owned Kan TV News and other media outlets reported Thursday.

According to Kan, the annual cost of securing the Netanyahu family is estimated at 12 million shekels (nearly 4 million U.S. dollars).

Shin Bet chief David Zini, whose appointment by Netanyahu took effect in October last year, recommended the move following assessments that the family faces a continuing threat due to potential revenge after Israel's killing of Iranian, Hamas and Hezbollah leaders in the multi-front conflict, the media reports said.

Critics have questioned the decision, with some arguing that Zini's appointment was intended to serve Netanyahu's personal interests, including the current protection issue, the reports said.

Israeli security officials have reportedly argued that security arrangements should be based on changing threat assessments rather than granted for extended periods.