Lindsey Graham: Eli Sharvit appointment "beyond problematic"

South Carolina Senator (R-SC) Lindsey Graham strongly criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to appoint Eli Sharvit as the replacement for Ronen Bar as head of the Shin Bet, due to Sharvit's open criticism of President Trump.

In a statement he posted today (Monday) on X, Graham said that:

While it is undeniably true that America has no better friend than Israel, the appointment of Eli Sharvit to be the new leader of the Shin Bet is beyond problematic.

There has never been a better supporter for the State of Israel than President Trump. The statements made by Eli Sharvit about President Trump and his polices will create unnecessary stress at a critical time.

My advice to my Israeli friends is change course and do better vetting.

Sharvit's appointment, coming as part of an effort by Prime Minister Netanyahu to appoint people outside the institutions to head them to ensure they work with the government, has rapidly run aground even before this statement by Senator Graham.

Thus, Sharvit reportedly took part in a Kaplan street protest against the judicial reform, reportedly out of "concern for the state" rather than any support for the movement's more radical efforts to encourage refusal to serve in the IDF. Multiple people on the right consider participation in the protests to be a red line.

Sharvit's candidacy is thus in serious trouble.