Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu withdraws nomination of Vice Admiral Eli Sharvit as next Shin Bet chief, after government ministers balk over Sharvit’s involvement in left-wing protests, and amid criticism from Trump ally in the US Senate.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has withdrawn his nomination of Vice Admiral (Res.) Eli Sharvit as Shin Bet chief, just a day after announcing it. The decision follows criticism from Netanyahu’s coalition over Sharvit’s past participation in protests against judicial reform.
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham also opposed the nomination due to Sharvit’s past criticism of Donald Trump.
Netanyahu had dismissed current Shin Bet head Ronen Bar last month, but the Supreme Court froze the decision pending a hearing. Bar has faced scrutiny for failing to prevent Hamas’s October 7th attack and allegedly approving a probe into National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
After meeting Sharvit Monday night, Netanyahu informed him of the withdrawal and said he would consider other candidates.
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