Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has officially rescinded his appointment of former naval chief Eli Sharvit as the head of the Shin Bet, citing a need to examine other candidates. The move comes amid controversy over Netanyahu’s firing of current Shin Bet director Ronen Bar, which has sparked mass protests across the country.
Sharvit had been chosen by Netanyahu despite having little connection to the Shin Bet, and his appointment was seen as a surprise move that raised eyebrows within the agency. However, sources close to Netanyahu claimed he believed Sharvit was the right person for the job due to his expertise in maritime defense capabilities.
Despite this, many Likud and coalition officials attacked Sharvit over his past involvement in protests against judicial reform and public criticism of US President Donald Trump’s administration. The move has sparked debate about whether Netanyahu is using Sharvit as a proxy to soften potential resistance from the High Court to firing Bar.
The appointment was initially set to take effect on Monday, but it will not go into effect before April 8 due to a petition to the High Court of Justice. The outcome remains uncertain, with some parties calling for Netanyahu to drop Sharvit in favor of another candidate and others arguing that he should be given the opportunity to lead.
The controversy surrounding Bar’s firing has highlighted concerns about democracy and Netanyahu’s leadership style. With tensions running high, the future of the Shin Bet under a new leader is far from clear.
Source: https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-848221