Lindsey Graham tells Netanyahu to rethink Shin Bet chief pick over Trump comments

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right) meets with US Senator Lindsey Graham in Tel Aviv, February 17, 2025. (Maayan Taof / GPO)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right) meets with US Senator Lindsey Graham in Tel Aviv, February 17, 2025. (Maayan Taof / GPO)

US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should rethink his pick for Shin Bet chief and “do better vetting.”

Netanyahu announced this morning that he had picked former Navy chief Eli Sharvit as the next head of the Shin Bet security service.

But the appointment drew fire from Netanyahu’s political allies and now also from Graham, a prominent pro-Israel Republican seen as close to US President Donald Trump.

Sharvit has participated in anti-government rallies and penned an opinion piece criticizing Trump for his climate policies.

“While it is undeniably true that America has no better friend than Israel, the appointment of Eli Sharvit to be the new leader of the Shin Bet is beyond problematic,” Graham posts on X.

“There has never been a better supporter for the State of Israel than President Trump. The statements made by Eli Sharvit about President Trump and his polices will create unnecessary stress at a critical time,” Graham says.

“My advice to my Israeli friends is change course and do better vetting,” he says.

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