Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to push ahead with the announcement of a new domestic intelligence service chief, even as Israel's Supreme Court has yet to sign off on the ousting of current chief Ronen Bar.
Netanyahu believes that appointing a new Shin Bet head before an 8 April court decision on Bar's removal could influence the outcome of the hearing, according to sources who spoke to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.
The issue was not addressed on Tuesday, sources added, over new developments in a scandal over suspected corruption among the prime minister’s aides.
Israel's domestic intelligence service has been targeted by Netanyahu over a number of issues, particularly after highlighting government failings that led to the Hamas-led attack on Israel on 7 October 2023.
Shin Bet has also been investigating alleged financial ties between Netanyahu's close confidants and Qatar, as well as far-right infiltration into the Israeli police.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and several close aides are facing growing scrutiny following a series of allegations suggesting they may have been involved in the transfer of Qatari funds—potentially in breach of Israel’s national security laws, according to legal experts.
Israel and Qatar do not maintain formal diplomatic relations. However, prior to the outbreak of war in Gaza, Qatar had channelled financial support to the Hamas-run civilian administration in Gaza—a move Doha publicly announced with approval from the United States and Israel. Throughout the Gaza war, Doha has also played a key role as a mediator between Hamas and Israeli officials.
A senior Qatari official, speaking anonymously to the Washington Post, rejected the accusations. “This is not the first time we have been targeted by a smear campaign from those who oppose an end to the conflict or the return of hostages to their families,” the official said. “We remain committed to our mediation efforts, alongside the United States and regional partners, and will not be deterred by attempts to derail negotiations or prolong the war.”
Two of Netanyahu's aides were detained for questioning on Monday, with Netanyahu interrupting his corruption trial for police questioning on Tuesday.
As well as the two aides, The Jerusalem Post's editor-in-chief has also undergone police questioning, as well as Israeli businessman Gil Birger.
Sources also told Haaretz that Netanyahu is attempting to resolve a conflict between his far-right coalition allies, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir of Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich of the Religious Zionist Party.
The two have been engaged in a spat over Knesset seat distribution that was agreed upon during their Knesset run in the last election, with Smotrich resigning his cabinet post in a bid to force out Otzma Yehudit MK Yitzhak Kroizer.
The current fight over who will lead the Shin Bet, alongside controversial judicial reforms, an attempted ousting of Israel's attorney general, and a return to war in Gaza, has breathed new life into anti-Netanyahu protests across the country.
Opposition MK and former member of Israel's war cabinet Benny Gantz has warned that the appointment of a Shin Bet head before the court decision, which will review petitions against Bar's removal, could cause a constitutional crisis.
On Tuesday the Times of Israel reported that Netanyahu's office announced that the deputy head of Shin Bet will be there in an acting capacity until a permanent head is appointed.
Also on Tuesday, Netanyahu backtracked his announcement that former navy commander Eli Sharvit would take over Shin Bet following criticism, including from the US, over Sharvit's anti-Trump comments as well as opposition to previous decisions by Netanyahu.
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