Sources close to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu believe former Navy Commander Eli Sharvit is unlikely to be appointed as head of the Shin Bet, the Walla news website reported on Monday.

Netanyahu had named Sharvit as the next head of the Shin Bet earlier today. 

However, according to Channel 12, Netanyahu may reverse his decision to appoint Sharvit due to pressure from his wife, Sara, and senior members of the Likud party.

Sharvit’s potential appointment has sparked mixed reactions within the Israeli occupation's political and security establishments, particularly because he previously participated in protests against Netanyahu’s government, the channel reported.

This comes as "Israel" scours to find a replacement for Ronen Bar, who was officially dismissed from his duties on March 21, following a unanimous cabinet vote. Bar’s tenure will officially end on April 10, though he may depart earlier if a replacement is confirmed.

Netanyahu justified the move by citing a lack of confidence in Bar, particularly in light of the October 7 investigation. The prime minister criticized Bar as “soft” and not suited to leading the agency’s recovery, claiming that removing him from captive negotiations led to a decrease in leaks and improved results. However, the ceasefire and captive deal with Hamas had already been secured weeks before Bar’s removal from the talks.

Growing dissent

The decision has sparked a public backlash, with mass protests erupting across "Israel". Thousands demonstrated outside Netanyahu’s office, chanting, “We will never give up.” Clashes with police escalated, with authorities using water cannons and forcibly removing protesters blocking roads.

A Channel 12 poll found that 51% of Israelis oppose Bar’s dismissal, while 46% trust him more than Netanyahu. Opposition figures condemned the move, with Benny Gantz calling it a “mark of Cain” on ministers who supported it, and Yair Lapid alleging it was designed "to obstruct the Qatar investigation."

Meanwhile, the government is also advancing efforts to remove Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, who opposed Bar’s dismissal and had warned Netanyahu he lacked the legal authority to fire him without proper justification. Reports suggest a vote on her removal could take place as early as Sunday.

Read more: Ex-Shin Bet Chief: Netanyahu ordered ‘illegitimate acts’