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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed former navy commander Eli Sharvit as the new head of the Shin Bet domestic security agency, defying a Supreme Court ruling that froze the dismissal of the incumbent, Ronen Bar.
On March 21, Netanyahu moved to replace Bar, citing a lack of trust in his leadership, particularly after Bar criticised the government’s handling of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack.
However, the Supreme Court intervened after petitions from opposition groups and a non-governmental organisation, suspending Bar’s removal until the court hears the case by April 8.
Despite this, Netanyahu’s office announced Sharvit’s appointment following interviews with several candidates.
Sharvit, a former vice-admiral and navy commander, led Israel’s maritime defence operations and carried out complex missions targeting Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran. His appointment, however, remains uncertain as the legal proceedings regarding Bar’s dismissal continue.
Legal experts suggest Netanyahu’s decision may be an attempt to influence the court’s eventual ruling by establishing facts on the ground.
Netanyahu has insisted that the appointment of a new Shin Bet chief is a matter for his government to decide, rejecting criticisms from Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, who claimed Netanyahu had a conflict of interest in the matter.
Bar’s strained relationship with the government worsened following the “Qatargate” investigation into alleged covert payments involving a Netanyahu aide and Qatar.
Protests erupted across Israel in response to Bar’s dismissal and the government’s controversial judicial overhaul, which has sparked deep societal divisions.
