Netanyahu Appoints New Chief of Shin Bet Amid Controversy
On Monday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel announced the appointment of a new chief for the domestic intelligence service, signaling a potential escalation in tensions with the Supreme Court. This move comes after the court temporarily suspended the dismissal of the current head of the Shin Bet, Ronen Bar, earlier this month.
The prime minister’s office revealed that Eli Sharvit, a former commander of the Israeli Navy, would take over the role from Bar. Earlier in March, Netanyahu’s cabinet had already decided to remove Bar from his position, with the intention of appointing a successor swiftly.
This latest development has narrowly averted what could have been a significant constitutional crisis. However, officials have clarified that Sharvit’s official installation will be postponed until a Supreme Court hearing scheduled for April 8, which will address the legality of Bar’s dismissal.
This incident has intensified concerns among Netanyahu’s critics, who are wary that he may be attempting to consolidate power beyond acceptable constitutional boundaries. Detractors have accused Netanyahu of dismissing Bar specifically because of his investigation into the prime minister’s aides, who have been suspected of leaking sensitive state information to a foreign newspaper and engaging with individuals tied to a foreign government.
In response to these allegations, Netanyahu has contended that the dismissal stemmed from a breakdown of trust between himself and Bar. Furthermore, the prime minister’s office has attributed blame to Bar for missed opportunities that contributed to Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel on the morning of October 7, 2023, which subsequently ignited the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The dismissal of Bar is part of a broader agenda by Netanyahu to weaken the influence of various state oversight bodies. Recently, Israel’s ruling coalition passed a controversial law in Parliament that enhances political control over the appointment of Supreme Court justices. Additionally, earlier this month, the cabinet initiated steps to remove the government’s chief lawyer, Gali Baharav-Miara, who has faced backlash from Netanyahu for scrutinizing the legality of government decisions and overruling them.
