Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has withdrawn his nomination for the head of Israel’s domestic intelligence service, the Shin Bet, after facing criticism from conservative allies and media reports that Eli Sharvit, the chosen candidate, had criticized President Trump and protested against judicial reforms proposed by Netanyahu’s government. Initially, Netanyahu had supported Sharvit, a former naval commander, to replace Ronen Bar, whose dismissal prompted protests. The withdrawal followed a backlash from the right, partly due to Sharvit’s past article criticizing Trump’s climate change policies. The Shin Bet plays a crucial role in Israel’s security efforts in Gaza and the West Bank. Netanyahu’s opponents feared an attempt to tighten control over the agency, but the decision to appoint Sharvit was praised for his experience. The proposal to weaken Israel’s judiciary by Netanyahu sparked mass protests, and Sharvit’s critical stance on Trump’s environmental policies also drew negative reactions, leading to Netanyahu’s decision to reconsider the nomination.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/01/world/middleeast/israel-netanyahu-trump-shin-bet.html