While Sharvit had previously taken part in protests against the government's judicial reform, sources close to Netanyahu insisted that was not the reason for the apparent reversal. They said the prime minister was aware of Sharvit’s limited participation in a protest but saw no disqualifying issue — noting that Sharvit neither took the stage nor gave a speech.
However, a column Sharvit penned in January in Ynet's sister publication Calcalist, criticizing Trump and his policies, reportedly caught Netanyahu’s team by surprise and was cited as the turning point in reconsidering the appointment. The timing of Graham’s post has fueled speculation that there may have been coordination between the senator and Netanyahu’s office.