Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu selected former naval chief Vice-Admiral (res.) Eli Sharvit as the next Shin Bet chief, the Prime Minister’s Office announced on Monday.

Sharvit’s selection was unexpected and considered a surprising choice for several reasons: he was not one of the leading candidates for the position; he is an outsider to the Shin Bet, never having served in its ranks and has no intelligence background; and before October 7, he participated in the protests in Tel Aviv against the government’s judicial rform plan.

“After extensively interviewing seven qualified candidates, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu decided to appoint former naval chief Vice-Admiral (res.) Eli Sharvit as the next head of the Shin Bet,” the Prime Minister’s Office said. “Major General Sharvit served in the IDF for 36 years, including 5 years as Navy chief. In this role, he led the development of maritime defense forces over Israel’s economic waters and managed complex operational systems against Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran.”

“The Shin Bet is a distinguished organization that underwent a severe shock. on October 7. The Prime Minister is confident that Sharvit is the right person to lead the organization forward while preserving its proud legacy.”

Sharvit will replace Ronen Bar, who was unaninmously dismissed by the government from his position. A Surpeme Court hearing on petititions filed against his dismissal is scheduled for April 8.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)