Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Tuesday he had reversed a decision to appoint a former navy commander as security agency chief following criticism, including from a key US senator.

Netanyahu had announced on Monday his pick of Eli Sharvit to lead the Shin Bet internal security agency, pushing back against a supreme court decision to freeze his government's move to dismiss incumbent director Ronen Bar.

It later emerged that Sharvit had publicly opposed key policies of the Netanyahu government and US President Donald Trump, an important backer of the Israeli leader.

"The prime minister thanked Vice Admiral Sharvit for his willingness to be called to duty but informed him that, after further consideration, he intends to examine other candidates," Netanyahu's office said in a statement on Tuesday.

The abrupt about-turn by the prime minister on the key security appointment drew condemnation from the opposition.

"The head of the Shin Bet is not........

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