Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intends to appoint Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) Deputy Director “S.” as acting director until a permanent appointment is made, the Prime Minister’s Office said Wednesday.
Since Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar’s term ends on April 10, “it will not be possible to approve a permanent Shin Bet chief through the Grunis Committee in time,” it said.
The interview process for a new director was ongoing, the office said. Netanyahu appointed former Israel Navy commander V.-Adm. (ret.) Eli Sharvit to the position on Monday but rescinded the appointment on Tuesday.
Opposition leaders and MKs criticized him for the move.
Last week, Supreme Court Justice Gila Kanfi-Steinitz said she “did not see the need” to expand a temporary injunction freezing the firing of the current head, Bar, such that it included a prohibition to interview new candidates.
This effectively rejected the position of Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara, according to which the prime minister could not take any action that could affect Bar’s status, including interviewing new candidates.
Netanyahu is still permitted to interview candidates
This means that Netanyahu can name a new director who cannot take office before a High Court of Justice hearing on April 8.
The High Court may allow the new candidate to take office or block his appointment due to the “Qatargate” investigation. Alternatively, it could seek a compromise that would enable Bar to conclude the Qatargate probe while allowing the new appointee to assume office as soon as possible.