2 weeks Ago By France 24
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has back-peddled on his decision to appoint former navy commander Vice Admiral Eli Sharvit to the top post of the country’s Shin Bet security agency, according to his office, following criticism from a key US senator. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 's office said Tuesday he had reversed a decision to appoint former navy commander Vice Admiral Eli Sharvit as security agency chief following criticism, including from a key US senator, Republican Lindsey Graham. "The prime minister thanked Vice Admiral Sharvit for his willingness to be called to duty but informed him that, after further consideration, he intends to examine other candidates," Netanyahu's office said in a statement.
Netanyahu had announced Sharvit's appointment on Monday, pushing back against a supreme court decision to freeze his government 's move to dismiss incumbent director Ronen Bar. The prime minister had announced Bar's dismissal on March 21, citing an "ongoing lack of trust". The supreme court swiftly suspended the decision until April 8.
Read more Netanyahu moves to oust domestic security chief amid tensions over Oct.7 attacks Bar's dismissal has sparked daily mass protests in Jerusalem , disrupting the city. Read more on FRANCE 24 English Read also: Israel's Netanyahu defies court freeze to name ex-navy commander as new security chief Israeli government dismisses Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar over 'lack of trust'.
