Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel withdrew his nomination for the head of Israel's domestic intelligence service on Tuesday following backlash from conservative allies. The nominee, Eli Sharvit, faced criticism for previously criticizing President Trump and for his involvement in protests against judicial reforms proposed by Netanyahu’s government.
Netanyahu initially supported Sharvit, a former commander of Israel's navy, to lead the Shin Bet intelligence agency after dismissing its previous head, Ronen Bar, an action that sparked protests. However, Sharvit's nomination was rescinded just a day after its announcement amid right-wing opposition, particularly due to an opinion piece in which he criticized Trump's environmental policies.
The Prime Minister's office confirmed that Netanyahu met with Sharvit to inform him of the decision to seek other candidates but did not provide a detailed explanation. As the domestic security agency, the Shin Bet has a significant role in managing the ongoing conflict in Gaza and Israel's occupation of the West Bank.
Netanyahu had previously removed Ronen Bar from his position, citing a loss of trust. Critics argued this move was an attempt to eliminate dissenting opinions within Israel's security establishment, which led to protests. Under Bar’s leadership, the Shin Bet had been investigating connections between some of Netanyahu’s aides and Qatar. The Israeli Supreme Court is expected to review appeals against Bar's dismissal next week, with legal experts suggesting a potential reversal of Netanyahu’s decision.
Opponents from left-wing and centrist factions were concerned that Netanyahu would attempt to appoint a close ally in a move perceived as consolidating power over the agency. Conversely, many viewed Sharvit as a competent and experienced candidate, having retired from military service in 2021. However, right-wing factions reacted strongly against his nomination.
In 2023, Sharvit reportedly participated in protests against Netanyahu's judicial reform plans, which have been met with mass opposition as many citizens see them as a threat to democracy. His comments did not go unnoticed; Tally Gotliv, a lawmaker from Netanyahu's Likud party, criticized Sharvit, claiming he had “undermined” the Prime Minister, urging reconsideration of his nomination.
Further scrutiny revealed that Sharvit’s earlier op-ed focused on Trump's environmental policies, rather than security-related issues pertinent to the Shin Bet. In the column, Sharvit expressed concern over Trump's approach to climate change, asserting it sends a harmful message regarding scientific accountability and future responsibilities.
Following the controversy, Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican ally of Trump, urged Netanyahu to retract Sharvit’s nomination due to the potential complications posed by his previous statements about the former president’s policies, suggesting that better vetting was necessary before nominations.