TEL AVIV — Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought for years to model himself according to British statesman Winston Churchill, but these days, he has a new role model: US President Donald Trump.

In terms of sloppy and autocratic conduct, Netanyahu seems to be doing quite well in emulating the 47th president and his administration. In this week’s latest farcical development, Netanyahu aides attempted not only to emulate the Trump administration’s policy zigzags and stumbles, but to enlist its help in overturning a top-level security appointment within hours of its announcement by the prime minister himself. 

Appointing, then getting rid of Sharvit

Israelis awoke on Monday to hear that Netanyahu had decided to appoint the retired former commander of the Israeli navy, Eli Sharvit, as the director of the Shin Bet security agency, only to be withdrawn 10 hours later. Sharvit, according to the surprising early morning announcement, would replace incumbent Ronen Bar, whom Netanyahu fired last month. The Supreme Court has issued an injunction blocking the dismissal, in response to petitions questioning the legality of the move, and scheduled hearings on them for April 8.