Israel’s Netanyahu Rescinds Shin Bet Nomination Amid Coalition Concerns
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has withdrawn his nomination of former admiral Eli Sharvit as the director of the Shin Bet security service, just one day after the announcement was made, as per Bloomberg.
Netanyahu’s office stated on Tuesday that he had informed Sharvit that “after further thought,” he would consider other candidates to replace Ronen Bar. Bar’s dismissal last month is currently pending a court review. Netanyahu provided no specific explanation for his change of heart.
The abrupt reversal follows expressions of unease from some members of Netanyahu’s religious-rightist coalition regarding Sharvit’s nomination. These concerns reportedly stemmed from reports of Sharvit’s participation in a 2023 demonstration protesting the government’s proposed judicial overhaul.
The Shin Bet serves as Israel’s internal security agency, akin to the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the US or MI5 in the UK.
Netanyahu’s initial decision to dismiss Ronen Bar had already drawn significant criticism, with detractors arguing that the Prime Minister and his coalition were attempting to marginalize officials who held dissenting views, particularly concerning the ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
In a separate development indicative of growing internal tensions within Netanyahu’s multi-party coalition, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich temporarily resigned. While considered a procedural step to allow Smotrich to regain his parliamentary status, the move is reportedly a protest against National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s request for additional ministerial positions upon his return to the government last month.
Reuters cited a spokesperson for Smotrich’s party confirming the protest element.
