Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has picked former navy commander Eli Sharvit to be the next head of the domestic security agency, his office said, despite the supreme court freezing the dismissal of the incumbent, AFP reports.

“After conducting in-depth interviews with seven worthy candidates, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to appoint former Israel navy commander, Vice-Admiral Eli Sharvit as the next director of the ISA (Shin Bet),” his office said in a statement.

It said Sharvit had served in the military for 36 years, including five years as navy commander.

“In that position, he led the force building of the maritime defence of the territorial waters and conducted complex operations against Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran,” the statement said.