Overview
- Prime Minister Netanyahu announced the withdrawal of Eli Sharvit's nomination as Shin Bet chief less than 24 hours after selecting him for the role.
- The reversal followed criticism from U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, who cited Sharvit's past criticism of former President Trump and his policies as problematic.
- Sharvit's nomination also faced domestic opposition due to his participation in 2023 protests against Netanyahu's judicial reform plans and his support for a 2022 Lebanon water agreement opposed by Netanyahu.
- The Supreme Court's freeze on the dismissal of current Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar remains in effect, with a hearing scheduled for April 8.
- The controversy is compounded by arrests of two Netanyahu aides in the 'Qatargate' investigation, fueling public protests and raising concerns about democratic integrity in Israel.