Netanyahu appoints temporary Shin Bet chief amid ongoing selection process

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided to appoint the deputy head of Shin Bet, identified as Sharvit, as the acting head of the security agency.

According to Newsru.co.il, the Prime Minister’s Office announced that this appointment would remain in effect until a new Shin Bet chief formally takes office, Caliber.Az reports via Israeli media.

"Netanyahu continues to interview candidates for the position, including holding repeat discussions with those he has already spoken to," the statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said.

Explaining the need for an interim appointment, the office noted: "Under the timeline set by the government, Ronen Bar will conclude his tenure on April 10. 

There is no technical possibility of securing approval for a permanent appointment through the Grunis Committee (the body responsible for selecting and appointing senior officials) before this date."

Earlier, Netanyahu has appointed former navy chief Vice-Admiral (res.) Eli Sharvit as the new head of the Shin Bet.

Sharvit’s appointment deviates from the usual practice of selecting a deputy Shin Bet chief for the role, marking a rare instance of an external candidate leading the agency. His selection comes despite Netanyahu previously indicating that the final candidates were senior figures from within the Shin Bet and Mossad.

Sharvit, who served for 36 years in the Israeli Navy and led the force from 2016 to 2021, has been credited with enhancing Israel’s maritime security and directing operations against regional threats. More recently, he was involved in reviewing lessons from the October 7 attack.

The appointment will not take effect before April 8 due to a petition filed with the High Court of Justice, which may further delay the process. The court is set to review the matter, considering factors such as ongoing investigations, including the Qatargate probe. A compromise allowing current Shin Bet head Ronen Bar to conclude key inquiries before Sharvit takes office is also under discussion.

By Aghakazim Guliyev