PM withdraws controversial nomination for internal security chief amid political pressure from coalition partners, senior defense officials, and a friendly Senator. Turns out his choice protested Netanyahu’s policies and slammed Trump’s environmental policies.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has withdrawn his initial nominee to lead Israel’s internal security service, the Shin Bet, following intense opposition from key political allies and within the security establishment, according to multiple senior officials familiar with the decision.

The reversal comes just days after Netanyahu privately floated the name of a close associate — described by one insider as “politically aligned but professionally untested” — sparking immediate concern among coalition partners and high-ranking defense figures. The nomination was never made public.

“This was a trial balloon that popped almost immediately,” said one senior Likud official. “There was no appetite for a politically charged appointment in the middle of a war.”

While the identity of the withdrawn candidate has not been officially confirmed, sources indicate the individual lacked a deep background in counterterrorism or operational command — a stark contrast to the usual profile of Shin Bet directors, who typically rise through the agency’s ranks.

According to Israeli media reports, Netanyahu had hoped to install someone personally loyal to him amid mounting criticism of the government’s handling of both internal unrest and external threats. But resistance from National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and even some within the Prime Minister’s own party forced the move off the table.

Ben Gvir’s office, in a rare statement of alignment with Gallant, said the minister would “strongly oppose any appointment that appears political or lacks operational experience.” A source close to Ben Gvir told Israel Hayom: “This isn’t the time to play games with security appointments. We need someone who can command respect across the spectrum.”

Gallant, for his part, reportedly told Netanyahu in a closed-door meeting that appointing someone without operational clout “would weaken the service at a time when it must be at its strongest.” The IDF, Shin Bet, and Mossad are operating in tandem more intensively than at any time in the past two decades, particularly in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and countering Iranian proxies abroad.

In a statement to the press, the Prime Minister’s Office denied that any formal nomination had been submitted, saying only that “the process of selecting the next head of the Shin Bet is ongoing and will proceed in consultation with relevant authorities.”

But multiple sources inside the security cabinet confirm that the PM had already initiated an informal vetting process for the candidate, and had met resistance at every level.

“The backlash was immediate,” said one senior official. “The system simply said no.”

Veteran security analyst Ronen Bergman of Yedioth Ahronoth commented that the pushback “shows that even under this government, there are red lines that cannot be crossed.”

Israel’s Shin Bet, or Shabak, is considered one of the most effective intelligence and counterterrorism organizations in the world, known for its deep infiltration networks, human intelligence capabilities, and critical role in preventing domestic terror attacks. The service operates largely in the shadows and rarely enters the political fray.

“Politicizing the leadership of the Shin Bet would endanger not just the agency’s credibility, but also its effectiveness,” said former Mossad director Tamir Pardo. “This isn’t some ambassadorial post. It’s the guardian of the home front.”

Netanyahu, who is already facing heavy scrutiny from opposition leaders and public protests over his judicial overhaul and wartime leadership, can ill afford further erosion of trust within Israel’s defense establishment.

Yair Lapid, head of the opposition, slammed the episode as “yet another example of dangerous misjudgment by a prime minister more concerned with political survival than national security.”

With a decision now delayed, speculation is rising around a short list of more conventional candidates, including current senior Shin Bet officers and retired IDF generals with intelligence credentials.

“We need a professional, not a political puppet,” said former Shin Bet director Yuval Diskin in a blunt radio interview. “The threats we face right now are existential. This is not the time for loyalty tests.”

For now, the current Shin Bet chief, Ronen Bar, remains in office. His term is set to expire later this year unless extended — an option some insiders say may now be back on the table.