Netanyahu Makes U-Turn! Scraps Yesterdays Shin Bet Chief Appointment
Netanyahu’s Shin Bet U-Turn: Aides’ Probe Rocks Israel
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has scrapped the appointment of Vice Adm. (res.) Eli Sharvit as Shin Bet chief, just 24 hours after naming him on March 31, 2025.
The stunning reversal follows pushback from his coalition and an escalating investigation into his aides’ alleged Qatar ties, known as “Qatargate.” The Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security agency, is probing these claims, amplifying the political stakes.
Sharvit, a former navy commander, drew ire from Netanyahu’s far-right allies for backing 2023 judicial reform protests and critiquing U.S. policies under Trump. Social media posts from sources like JNS.org highlighted coalition unrest, pressuring Netanyahu to backtrack.
The timing raises eyebrows: Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, currently investigating Netanyahu’s staff for possible Qatari payments tied to Hamas hostage talks, was ousted by cabinet vote on March 20—though a Supreme Court injunction delays his exit until at least April 8. Netanyahu denies the probe influenced his decision, insisting it’s about trust, not politics.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid calls it a blatant dodge of accountability. With Gaza hostilities ongoing and hostages still held, the flip-flop exposes a government teetering on chaos. Analysts warn this could politicize the Shin Bet, a historically neutral body, as Netanyahu’s next pick looms large. The court’s looming deadline may yet force a reckoning—testing Israel’s democratic guardrails amid war and scandal.
