Israel's Netanyahu picks new security chief, defying legal challenge

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu appoints Eli Sharvit as head of domestic security agency amid legal and political turmoil.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu picked former navy commander Eli Sharvit to head the domestic security agency, his office said on Monday, despite the supreme court freezing the incumbent's dismissal.

It remains unclear when and how Mr. Sharvit could officially take charge as the court's ruling on the removal of the current Shin Bet chief, Ronen Bar, is still pending.

Mr. Netanyahu moved to sack Mr. Bar on March 21, after citing an "ongoing lack of trust" in him.

But after petitions filed by Israel's opposition and a non-governmental organisation, the supreme court suspended the dismissal of Mr. Bar, whose relationship with the government became strained after he blamed the executive for the security fiasco of Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.

Legal experts and an Israeli opposition leader warned that if the top court overturns Bar's dismissal, the country could face a constitutional crisis.

"After conducting in-depth interviews with seven worthy candidates, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to appoint former Israel navy commander, Vice-Admiral Eli Sharvit as the next director of the ISA (Shin Bet)," his office said in a statement.

Mr. Netanyahu's office said Mr. Sharvit had served in the military for 36 years, including five as navy commander.