PM’s pick for Shin Bet chief reportedly protested against judicial overhaul, doesn’t know Arabic

By Emanuel Fabian

You will receive email alerts from this author. Manage alert preferences on your profile page

You will no longer receive email alerts from this author. Manage alert preferences on your profile page

31 March 2025, 8:23 am

17 Edit

Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent

Vice Adm. Eli Sharvit arrives on board the Israeli Navy Ship Atzmaut in the Mediterranean Sea, September 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

Vice Adm. (res.) Eli Sharvit, who has been named by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the next Shin Bet chief, previously participated in protests against the government’s judicial overhaul plans.

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, like other reservists did, but only expressed concern for the planned legislation, according to the report.

Sharvit also reportedly does not know Arabic and has never been involved in Palestinian affairs. Though this would not be unprecedented for a Shin Bet head.

He began his service in the Navy in 1985, becoming an officer. Over the years, he commanded several missile boats and held other prominent roles.

In 2006, Sharvit was the deputy commander of the Navy’s missile boat fleet, and amid the Second Lebanon War that year he commanded one of its squadrons.

Between 2007 and 2009, he served as a department head in the IDF Operations Directorate, the only role that he held outside of the Navy.

Sharvit then returned to command the missile boat fleet until 2011. Afterward, he was appointed to command the Haifa naval base, where he served until 2014.

Between 2014 and 2016, he served as chief of staff in the Navy before being promoted to the rank of vice admiral and becoming the commander of the Navy.

Sharvit commanded the Navy until 2021, including amid the May 2021 conflict with Hamas.

Since being released from the military, he has served in several top roles in civilian companies.

Earlier this month, Sharvit was appointed by IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir to be a member of a panel of former officers who are to examine and evaluate the military’s October 7 investigations.

Sharvit would not be the first Shin Bet head who comes from outside the organization and is unfamiliar with its workings, Arabic and Palestinian affairs. In 1996, Ami Ayalon, also a former commander of the Navy, was appointed to head the Shin Bet following the assassination of prime minister Yitzhak Rabin.