Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to retract the appointment of former navy commander Eli Sharvit as the Director of the Shin Bet Internal Security Service following reactions from coalition partners. The decision had caused a political crisis in the country.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu backed down from appointing former navy commander Eli Sharvit as the Director of the Shin Bet Internal Security Service after reports surfaced that he had participated in protests against a “judicial reform”, leading to backlash from coalition partners. A statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office indicated that Netanyahu met with Sharvit last night. The statement expressed Netanyahu’s gratitude for Sharvit’s readiness to assume the role but stated his intention to consider other candidates.
DECISION HAD SPARKED CRITICISM
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had announced his decision to appoint former navy commander Sharvit as the Director of Shin Bet yesterday. Despite the High Court’s suspension of the removal of Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar, Netanyahu’s decision to appoint Sharvit to head the organization drew criticism from both the ruling and opposition sides in the country. Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu from the far-right Jewish Power Party, one of the government partners, had criticized the appointment due to Sharvit’s support for protests against the government’s “judicial reform” laws in 2023. Israel’s Channel 12 television reported that a crisis had emerged within the government after reports emerged that Sharvit had participated in protests against the “judicial reform”, with Netanyahu’s desire to appoint Sharvit not guaranteeing the appointment would be made.
WHY DID HE RETRACT?
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu had informed Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar that the government would dismiss him, justifying his decision with a growing lack of trust. The government had approved Bar’s dismissal, stating that he would continue in his position until a replacement was appointed by April 10. Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara had stated that the Prime Minister could not dismiss Shin Bet Director Bar arbitrarily. Later, the Israeli cabinet unanimously voted to remove Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara in a vote of no confidence. The Israeli High Court had frozen the government’s decision to dismiss Bar until the hearing of appeals on the matter by April 8, allowing the Prime Minister to interview potential candidates. Netanyahu had announced his intention to dismiss Bar despite the High Court’s decision. Netanyahu’s decision to dismiss Bar had sparked heated debates in Israeli politics, leading to mass protests nationwide in response to calls from the opposition.