Netanyahu reverses decision on new Israeli security chief
3 Min Read
The new appointee faced much criticism for his political opinion, including a senior US senator who called the appointment "beyond problematic."
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech during the International Conference on Combating Antisemitism in Al-Quds, Occupied Palestine, on Thursday, March 27, 2025. (AP)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reversed his decision to appoint a new Shin Bet chief following a wave of criticism over his pick, according to the Israeli PM's office on Tuesday.
"The prime minister thanked Vice Admiral Sharvit for his willingness to be called to duty but informed him that, after further consideration, he intends to examine other candidates," Netanyahu's office said in a statement, rescinding the decision that was made on Monday.
On Monday, just hours after Sharvit's appointment was announced, reports emerged indicating that he was among the tens of thousands of Israelis who took to the streets in 2023 to protest the Netanyahu government's judicial reform efforts.
Israeli media reports also noted that Sharvit, who served in the military for 36 years, had backed a 2022 water agreement with Lebanon, which Netanyahu had opposed.
It also emerged that the former naval chief had written an opinion piece criticizing US President Donald Trump's climate policies, prompting Senator Lindsey Graham, a staunch Trump ally, to oppose his appointment in a post on X.
While it is undeniably true that America has no better friend than Israel, the appointment of Eli Sharvit to be the new leader of the Shin Bet is beyond problematic.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) March 31, 2025
There has never been a better supporter for the State of Israel than President Trump. The statements made by Eli… https://t.co/26bgwO9yfO
Netanyahu dismisses Shin Bet Chief
The Israeli government unanimously approved Netanyahu's proposal to sack the Shin Bet Chief, Ronen Bar, who will end his role as Shin Bet head on April 10, 2025, or when a permanent Shin Bet head is appointed – whichever comes first, a government statement said on March 21.
This prompted the Israeli Supreme Court to freeze the decision and state, “Petitions shall be scheduled for a hearing before the panel (of judges) as soon as possible and no later than April 8," just hours after the decision was announced.
Tensions have risen between Netanyahu and the Shin Bet following the agency’s internal investigation into the events of October 7, 2023. Netanyahu dismissed the investigation’s conclusions, stating they didn’t address key questions.
The report’s findings led opposition leaders Yair Lapid and Benny Gantz to demand an apology from Netanyahu, accusing him of shifting blame. Lapid criticized Netanyahu’s decision as “shameful” on X, accusing the prime minister of “losing his nerve and eroding values,” while alleging that he prioritizes personal interests over national security efforts to maintain power.
Channel 12 reported that the government's legal advisor, Gali Baharav-Miara, requested a meeting with Netanyahu to discuss the dismissal. Meanwhile, Yair Golan, head of the opposition Democrats party, called it a “war on Israel” on X, accusing Netanyahu of trying to silence investigators looking into his circle.
