Israeli PM Netanyahu appoints new Shin Bet chief despite injunction

ANI March 31, 2025 230 views

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed Vice-Admiral Eli Sharvit as the new Shin Bet chief, directly challenging a temporary court injunction. The move comes amid ongoing investigations into alleged unlawful connections and disputes over the October 7 Hamas attack intelligence failure. Opposition leader Benny Gantz warns the appointment represents a dangerous attack on Israel's judicial system. The controversial selection highlights deepening political tensions in Israel's current governance landscape.

"The prime minister decided to continue his campaign against the judicial system" - Benny Gantz
Tel Aviv, March 31: Despite a temporary injunction against the dismissal of Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) chief Ronen Bar, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu named Vice-Admiral (ret.) Eli Sharvit, former head of the Israeli Navy as the new security chief.

Key Points

1

Netanyahu names Eli Sharvit despite High Court temporary injunction

2

Shin Bet leadership dispute escalates constitutional tensions

3

Bar's dismissal linked to October 7 Hamas attack investigation

4

Gantz warns of dangerous political maneuver

Hours after the Israeli government voted to dismiss Bar on March 21, the High Court of Justice issued a temporary restraining order against the move. The court is expected to hold a hearing on the matter by April 8.

The Shin Bet and police are investigating alleged unlawful ties between two of Netanyahu's aides and Qatar. Attorney General Gali Baharav Miara, who the government also seeks to fire, warned that Netanyahu's efforts to replace the Shin Bet chief could pose a conflict of interest.

The government cited a loss of trust in Bar for his dismissal. Netanyahu and Bar have been blaming each other over what was known before Hamas' October 7 attack and whether it could have been prevented.

The opposition's Benny Gantz, leader of the National Unity Party, said that while Sharvit has the "values and experience" to lead the Shin Bet, the High Court must first rule on Bar's dismissal.

"However, what is clear is that the prime minister decided this morning to continue his campaign against the judicial system and lead the State of Israel toward a dangerous constitutional crisis. The appointment of the head of the Shin Bet must be made only after a High Court decision," Gantz said.

The Shin Bet, Israel's domestic intelligence service, is responsible for counterterrorism, counterintelligence, internal security, VIP protection, and cybersecurity. The only Shin Bet director to ever resign before the end of his five-year term was Carmi Gillon in the aftermath of the 1995 assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.

Vice-Adm. Sharvit served 36 years in the IDF, including five years as Navy Commander. He led the development of maritime defenses for Israel's offshore natural gas fields and oversaw covert naval operations against Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran. (ANI/TPS)

Reader Comments

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Sarah K.
This seems like such a messy situation. If there's a court injunction, shouldn't they wait for the ruling? Sharvit's credentials look impressive, but the process matters too. 🇮🇱
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David L.
Sharvit is an excellent choice with his naval intelligence background. The country needs strong leadership right now, regardless of political drama. Hope he can restore stability to Shin Bet.
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Miriam S.
I'm concerned about the timing. With investigations into Netanyahu's aides ongoing, this does look like a conflict of interest. The court should have final say before any appointments are made.
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Aaron T.
The whole "loss of trust" reasoning feels weak after October 7. Everyone failed that day. Instead of blaming each other, our leaders should focus on preventing future attacks.
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Rachel B.
Sharvit's experience with Hamas and Hezbollah operations is exactly what we need right now! His naval background might bring fresh perspective to domestic security too.
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Tom G.
Respectfully, this seems like Netanyahu putting personal interests above national security. The court exists for a reason - ignoring injunctions sets a dangerous precedent.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Tags:
Netanyahu Shin Bet Israel Security Eli Sharvit Benny Gantz Israeli Politics Judicial Crisis
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