The potential appointee for Shin Bet faced criticism due to a prior column criticizing former President Trump and concerns surrounding his stance on judiciary reforms.
Netanyahu Scraps Intelligence Chief Nominee Amidst Political Fallout
Netanyahu Scraps Intelligence Chief Nominee Amidst Political Fallout
Backlash over controversial comments on Trump leads Israeli PM to reconsider candidate.
Eli Sharvit, a former commanding officer of Israel's navy, has been withdrawn as the prime candidate for leading the Shin Bet, Israel’s domestic intelligence agency, after rising tensions within the coalition government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This decision stems from increasing backlash from Netanyahu’s conservative allies following Sharvit's past criticism of former President Trump and apprehensions regarding his opinions on judicial reforms being advanced by the current government.
Netanyahu previously endorsed Sharvit to replace Ronen Bar, the former head of Shin Bet, whom Netanyahu dismissed amid his concerns over Bar's trustworthiness. The abrupt withdrawal of Sharvit's nomination came just a day post-announcement, amidst mounting outrage from right-wing factions driven by his opinions on climate action and judicial independence. Netanyahu’s office confirmed that the Prime Minister met Sharvit personally to announce the change but refrained from detailing the reasoning behind the reevaluation.
The Shin Bet agency holds a pivotal role in dealing with security matters linked to ongoing conflicts in Gaza and the extended Israeli presence in the West Bank. Bar's dismissal has triggered various protests, as critics allege Netanyahu is purging dissent from Israel's security sectors. Furthermore, Bar has been involved in investigating allegations against certain Netanyahu aides regarding financial links to Qatar, which may also have influenced the tension around his removal. Due to the political unrest sparked by these events, Israel's Supreme Court is set to hear appeals against Bar's termination in the coming week, where legal experts speculate the court may overturn Netanyahu's decision. Despite concerns, many within the security community viewed Sharvit as a well-qualified candidate to lead this critical agency.
Netanyahu previously endorsed Sharvit to replace Ronen Bar, the former head of Shin Bet, whom Netanyahu dismissed amid his concerns over Bar's trustworthiness. The abrupt withdrawal of Sharvit's nomination came just a day post-announcement, amidst mounting outrage from right-wing factions driven by his opinions on climate action and judicial independence. Netanyahu’s office confirmed that the Prime Minister met Sharvit personally to announce the change but refrained from detailing the reasoning behind the reevaluation.
The Shin Bet agency holds a pivotal role in dealing with security matters linked to ongoing conflicts in Gaza and the extended Israeli presence in the West Bank. Bar's dismissal has triggered various protests, as critics allege Netanyahu is purging dissent from Israel's security sectors. Furthermore, Bar has been involved in investigating allegations against certain Netanyahu aides regarding financial links to Qatar, which may also have influenced the tension around his removal. Due to the political unrest sparked by these events, Israel's Supreme Court is set to hear appeals against Bar's termination in the coming week, where legal experts speculate the court may overturn Netanyahu's decision. Despite concerns, many within the security community viewed Sharvit as a well-qualified candidate to lead this critical agency.
