In a surprising move, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed retired Major General Eli Sharvit, former Israeli Navy commander, as the next head of the Shin Bet security agency, bypassing internal candidates despite lacking Arabic language skills and prior experience in the organization.
The decision comes just days before a scheduled High Court hearing on the controversial dismissal of current Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, and therefore, the appointment will not take place unless the court green lights Bar's dismissal, which some on the Left believe is politically motivated and designed to prevent the Shin Bet from continuing its investigation into various alleged improprieties involving Netanyahu's orbit, including alleged ties to Qatar prior to Oct. 7.
Sharvit currently serves on retired Major General Sami Turgeman's team that is reviewing IDF investigations and leads the group reexamining the October 7 attack investigations.
The appointment comes before the High Court hearing on Ronen Bar's dismissal, scheduled for April 8. The court previously allowed the prime minister to interview candidates – contrary to Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara's position – but did not grant permission to make an official appointment.
Retired Major General Sharvit, married with three children, served 36 years in the IDF – including five years as commander of the Navy. "In this role, he led the building of the maritime defense force for economic waters and managed complex operational systems against Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran," the Prime Minister's Office announcement said.
"The Shin Bet is an organization with many achievements that underwent a severe shock on October 7. The prime minister is convinced that Major General Sharvit is the right person to lead the Shin Bet on a path that will continue the organization's glorious tradition," the statement continued.
Sharvit enlisted in the IDF in 1985 and completed the naval officers' course. Throughout his military career, he held several combat positions, including naval officer on missile boats, commander of the "Independence" and "INS Aliya" vessels, commander of Flotilla 13 naval commano unit, and completed the division commanders' course.
Sharvit is a graduate of the Advanced Naval Command School, holds a bachelor's degree in economics and business administration and a master's degree in political science from the University of Haifa and the National Security College. Notably, he does not speak Arabic – a significant departure for the head of an agency deeply involved in counterterrorism operations in Arabic-speaking areas. This appointment marks a rare instance of selecting someone who has never served in the Shin Bet to lead the organization.
Sharvit previously participated in protests against the judicial reform. In a 2020 interview with Channel 13, while serving as Navy commander, he addressed the submarine affair for the first time and defended Netanyahu, stating: "We don't feel any cloud or stain." Sharvit was neither investigated nor asked to provide testimony to police in Case 3000, which involved allegations of corruption in submarine and vessel procurement.
"An exemplary man, brave, without blemish"
Tamir Hayman, head of the Institute for National Security Studies, told Army Radio: "Eli is a brave man, meticulous, a professional, with extraordinary strategic thinking. He is very active operationally and offensively. I only have good words about him, he is an exemplary man."
"I was also surprised this morning after seeing many names from outside the organization," Hayman added. "Here they are bringing someone from the outside, like Ami Ayalon after the prime minister's assassination, who will look at the organization. I don't know if the organization is in a big crisis, but that's the message they want to convey. From a personal, values-based, human perspective – he is without blemish. Eli is an excellent man. The only question is whether it's right to bring someone from outside the organization."
