Netanyahu appoints Eli Sharvit as Shin Bet chief amid legal challenges

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed Vice-Admiral Eli Sharvit as the new head of the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet), despite a temporary injunction from the High Court against the dismissal of the current chief, Ronen Bar. The court is set to hear the case regarding Bar's removal on April 8, after Netanyahu cited a 'loss of trust' following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Opposition leader Benny Gantz expressed concerns that the prime minister's actions could lead to a constitutional crisis, emphasizing that any appointment should wait for the court's ruling. Sharvit, who served 36 years in the military, is expected to lead the agency during a turbulent period as it deals with internal security issues. The Shin Bet's investigation into alleged connections between Netanyahu's aides and Qatar further complicates the political landscape. Legal experts have noted the potential implications of this conflict between the judiciary and the executive branch.