Israeli Prime Minister Appoints Shin Bet Deputy as Interim Chief

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed the deputy head of the Shin Bet, the Israeli security service, as its interim chief, following the recent controversy over the dismissal of the former head. Despite this appointment, the firing of the incumbent Shin Bet chief, Ronen Bar, remains temporarily on hold as Netanyahu’s office continues to interview candidates for the permanent role.

The move comes amid a growing public and political debate over Bar’s removal, with critics raising concerns about the decision’s timing and potential impact on national security. Netanyahu’s office stated that the firing of Bar will be finalized by April 10, 2025, but has not provided further details on the reasons behind the delay or the nature of the ongoing interviews.

In the interim, Shin Bet Deputy Chief Yaakov Shabtai will take over the agency’s leadership. Shabtai, who has extensive experience within the security establishment, is expected to lead the agency through this transition period. His appointment aims to ensure continuity in the Shin Bet’s operations, which focus on counterterrorism and intelligence gathering.

Netanyahu’s office has emphasized that the decision to appoint an interim chief does not signal any change in the dismissal process. The Prime Minister’s office insists that Bar’s departure is part of a planned leadership reshuffle, which has been in the works for several months. However, critics of the government have raised concerns about the timing, especially in light of ongoing security challenges and internal unrest in Israel.