Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed former navy commander Eli Sharvit as the next director of the Shin Bet, Israel’s domestic security agency, despite a legal challenge that has frozen the dismissal of the incumbent, Ronen Bar.
Netanyahu had announced Bar’s removal on March 21, citing an “ongoing lack of trust.” However, Israel’s Supreme Court suspended the decision following legal petitions from opposition groups and a non-governmental organization. Bar’s relationship with Netanyahu’s government deteriorated after he blamed the administration for the security failures that led to Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. The situation worsened due to a Shin Bet investigation into the so-called “Qatargate” affair, involving alleged covert payments to a Netanyahu aide from Qatar.
Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, Netanyahu proceeded with the selection process, interviewing seven candidates before choosing Sharvit. A veteran of the Israel Defense Forces, Sharvit served for 36 years, including five years as navy commander, where he oversaw operations against Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran.
Legal experts argue that Netanyahu’s move is an attempt to create “facts on the ground” before the court makes a final decision. Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has insisted that Netanyahu is “prohibited” from appointing a new Shin Bet chief while Bar’s dismissal remains under judicial review, raising concerns of a potential conflict of interest.
The controversy has triggered widespread protests. Thousands of Israelis took to the streets to condemn Bar’s dismissal and demand the return of hostages held in Gaza. Protesters also criticized Netanyahu’s government for pushing judicial reforms that increase political influence over judicial appointments. The reforms, which were initially suspended after months of mass protests, have been revived, deepening societal divisions.
With the Supreme Court set to hear appeals by April 8, the future leadership of the Shin Bet remains uncertain. Netanyahu’s decision to appoint Sharvit despite legal opposition highlights the ongoing tensions between his government, the judiciary, and the Israeli public.
