Israel’s Supreme Court Halts Netanyahu’s Move to Fire Security Chief
The Supreme Court has blocked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s attempt to dismiss the head of Israel’s domestic intelligence agency, Ronen Bar, pending a legal hearing.
Israel’s Supreme Court has issued an injunction temporarily blocking Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to fire Ronen Bar, the head of the Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security service. The court's order halts the dismissal until a hearing is held by April 8.
The Israeli cabinet had approved Bar’s early removal on Thursday night, blaming him for failing to anticipate the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, which marked the beginning of the ongoing war in Gaza. Netanyahu cited a “loss of professional and personal trust” in Bar, claiming the relationship had deteriorated further during the conflict.
Bar, who was appointed to a five-year term in October 2021, would be the first Shin Bet chief to be dismissed by an Israeli government. His removal has sparked public backlash, fueling widespread anti-government protests in Jerusalem, which are also tied to Israel's renewed military operations in Gaza.
In a letter to the cabinet ahead of the vote, Netanyahu stated that the loss of trust with Bar extended beyond the events of October 7, suggesting it deepened during the war. However, Bar has described the move as politically driven. According to The Times of Israel, he did not attend the cabinet session but sent a letter accusing Netanyahu of a conflict of interest, pointing out that the Shin Bet is currently investigating the Prime Minister’s Office over alleged financial ties to Qatar.
Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, who has also been targeted for removal by Netanyahu, ruled that Bar’s firing could not proceed until its legality was reviewed. She previously instructed police and the Shin Bet to investigate senior officials in Netanyahu’s office. A gag order has been issued on the details of that probe.
The Movement for Quality Government in Israel, a watchdog group, filed an appeal calling the dismissal unlawful and a threat to national security. Opposition party Yesh Atid also submitted an appeal, accusing Netanyahu of acting under a clear conflict of interest.
The developments come as Israel resumes its military campaign in Gaza following the collapse of a months-long ceasefire. The Hamas-led October 7 attack killed roughly 1,200 Israelis and led to the capture of 251 hostages. In response, Israel launched a full-scale offensive in Gaza, where the Hamas-run health ministry claims more than 48,500 Palestinians have been killed.
Recent Israeli airstrikes, following the end of the ceasefire, reportedly killed over 400 people in a single night. Humanitarian aid has been blocked from entering Gaza since early March, as Israel increases pressure on Hamas. Meanwhile, ceasefire talks remain stalled, with Hamas rejecting Israel’s conditions and offering a limited hostage release instead.
Protests in Israel continue to grow, as public frustration mounts over Netanyahu’s handling of the war and his efforts to dismiss key security officials amid a deepening political crisis.
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