The Israeli Supreme Court has put a hold on Benjamin Netanyahu’s government’s decision to dismiss the head of the Shin Bet domestic intelligence agency amid protests against the move. The ruling will stand until the court has a chance to hear the petitions filed by Israel’s opposition and an NGO opposing Ronen Bar’s removal, who was dismissed following a government vote.
Shin Bet has been investigating Netanyahu’s inner circle for alleged breaches of national security, including the leaking of classified documents and receiving money from Qatar. Bar, in his public letter, claimed that his dismissal was motivated by Netanyahu’s “personal interests” and pointed out that his agency’s investigation had concluded that Hamas had been able to build up its military because of a “policy of quiet.”
Bar argued that dismissing the head of the service at this time, on the initiative of the prime minister, could jeopardize the investigation and pose a direct danger to Israel’s security.
The court’s decision will freeze Bar’s dismissal until appeals are presented before April 8. Initially, Bar was supposed to leave his post upon the appointment of his successor or by April 10 at the latest. Bar, who was appointed by the previous government, had strained relations with Netanyahu even before the October 7 Hamas attack, which has triggered the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Netanyahu’s spokesperson accused Bar of clinging to his seat and trying to use the situation to initiate “useless and baseless investigations.” The opposition, along with the NGO Movement for Quality Government in Israel, filed a petition against the dismissal.
A former head of Shin Bet, Yoram Cohen, condemned Bar’s dismissal and alleged that Netanyahu had asked him to carry out legally questionable actions during his tenure.
Additionally, Netanyahu’s cabinet announced it would debate a motion of no confidence in the attorney general, Gali Baharav-Miara, accusing her of being “the long arm of the government’s opponents.” Baharav-Miara had previously warned Netanyahu against firing Bar without reviewing his motives.
Hundreds have been protesting daily against the decision to dismiss Bar and against the ongoing fighting in Gaza, with 59 Israeli hostages still held by Hamas.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/21/ronen-bar-shin-bet-intelligence-chief-fired-netanyahu-protests
