The Prime Minister's decision to appoint Maj. Gen. (res.) Eli Sharvit as the next head of the Shin Bet is sparking angry reactions on the right - and senior Likud and coalition officials are pressing to freeze the appointment.
Sharvit, who ended his role as Navy commander in 2021, spoke out after his release on explosive issues and even took part in demonstrations against the legal reform in Kaplan.
Additionally, in an interview with Reshet B after his release, Sharvit said that the maritime border agreement with Lebanon - signed by Yair Lapid - "well reflects Israeli interests." In the same interview, the former Navy commander surprised by saying that a gas rig owned by the state of Lebanon is an Israeli interest.
Want more news, videos and stories? Join the Haredim 10 WhatsApp channel >>
According to News 12, due to pressure from coalition members, the chances are increasing that the appointment will not go through.
At the height of the protests against the legal reform, Sharvit participated in the protests with a group of captains and another senior officer. Because of this, there are already those in the political system who are labeling him a "Chaplainist" and demanding that Netanyahu retract it.
Minister Amichai Eliyahu of Otzma Yehudit wrote: "Replacing a person with a Kaplanist worldview with another person with a similar worldview perpetuates the problem in a different framework.".
MK Tali Gottlieb also addressed Netanyahu in a tweet: "Mr. Prime Minister, who is whispering in your ear?? What's going on here? Aren't there any excellent, brave, and experienced right-wing people to head the Shin Bet? With all due respect.".
Eli Sharvit took part in the Kaplan protests. The excuse of 'concern for the country' does not impress me, but rather teaches me that Sharvit is being dragged along. We have all had enough of dragged along people who are unable to think differently and think outside of concepts. There is no doubt that Sharvit is highly qualified, but to head the Shin Bet these days requires a different and very special DNA. You have no privilege to make a mistake.".
Netanyahu claimed today that he was not informed of "all the details" regarding Sharvit's involvement in the Kaplan protest. The Prime Minister's Office chose not to comment.
MK Avigdor Lieberman, who served as Defense Minister during the time Sharvit served as Navy Commander, also attacked his appointment on the B network, calling it a "strange appointment.".
He said, "Sharvit was an excellent commander, but he has no intelligence background or training. The considerations that led to his appointment, after years of not being in the military, raise many questions.".
