PM said to be reconsidering Sharvit as next Shin Bet chief amid pressure from political allies

By Sam Sokol 31 March 2025, 1:13 pm

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Sam Sokol is a former political correspondent at The Times of Israel. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"

Then-commander of the Israeli Navy, Vice Admiral Eli Sharvit speaks at a graduating ceremony for new Israel Navy Officers in Haifa Naval Base, Northern Israel on September 4, 2019. (Flash90)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently reconsidering the appointment of former Navy commander Vice Adm. (res.) Eli Sharvit as the next head of the Shin Bet security service, Hebrew-language media reports.

In announcing his choice of Sharvit, Netanyahu’s office said that the prime minister was “convinced that Sharvit is the right person to lead the Shin Bet on a path that will continue the organization’s glorious tradition.”

However, Netanyahu is now said to be weighing choosing another candidate due to Sharvit’s reported participation in protests against the government’s contentious judicial overhaul plans amid pressure from coalition members.

Per the Israel Hayom daily, Netanyahu was initially aware of but discounted Sharvit’s political views.

However, following his announcement, objections began to be raised within his circle, leading the prime minister to begin rethinking the appointment.

According to a report by Ynet in March 2023, Sharvit joined a protest on Tel Aviv’s Kaplan Street alongside other former military officers. He did not issue a call to refuse to show up for duty, as other reservists did, but only expressed concern for the planned legislation, according to the report.