#JUSTIN: Israel Picks Ex-Navy Chief Eli Sharvit as Head of Shin Bet
Netanyahu’s Bold Pick: Ex-Navy Chief Tapped as Israel’s New Security Czar
Iraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has nominated Vice Adm. Eli Sharvit, a former Navy commander, as the new head of Shin Bet, Israel’s domestic security agency, amid a storm of controversy over leadership and trust. The announcement on Monday follows Netanyahu’s earlier move this month to oust the current chief, Ronen Bar, a decision that ignited widespread debate and legal pushback.
Sharvit, a seasoned naval officer with no direct experience in intelligence or counter-terrorism, steps into a role tasked with monitoring and neutralizing threats from Palestinian militant groups. Netanyahu’s choice comes after he declared a loss of confidence in Bar, citing the Shin Bet’s failure to prevent Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack and clashing views on Gaza ceasefire talks.
Critics, however, argue the dismissal was a power play, timed suspiciously as Bar’s agency probed alleged ties between Netanyahu’s aides and Qatar.
The High Court intervened, freezing Bar’s exit until further review but allowing Netanyahu to vet replacements. Sharvit’s nomination now heads to a vetting committee, spotlighting a pivotal shift in Israel’s security apparatus amid ongoing war and political turbulence.
