Jerusalem, Israel — The executive branch of Israel is having a clash with its judicial counterpart after the country’s Supreme Court freezed the dismissal of the head of the Shin Bet domestic intelligence agency.
On the evening of March 20, the Israeli cabinet approved the dismissal of Ronen Bar, the head of the nation’s security service, over alleged failure to anticipate the attack by Hamas in October 2023.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also referenced a “persistent loss of professional and personal trust” between him and Bar, hence, the reason for dismissal.
On Friday, however, the Supreme Court temporarily froze the decision, noting that the order will stand until a hearing regarding the matter is conducted before April 8.
This order from the court aggrieved Netanyahu, expressing a strong comment that “the government of Israel will decide” on who will be the head of the Shin Bet.
For Bar, the dismissal attempt is motivated by Netanyahu’s “personal interests” and is politically motivated.
Bar cited the findings and conclusions of the agency’s investigation into the Hamas attack as a reason for his removal, and that this move is a direct danger to the security of Israel.
The Shin Bet has been conducting investigations on Netanyahu’s close aides for alleged national security breach leading to the attack of Hamas.
The cabinet’s decision also sparked the outrage of the opposition and Movement for Quality Government in Israel NGO noting this is unlawful.
They also led the filing of the petition against the decision, which was granted and upheld by the Supreme Court with a temporary injunction.
Similarly, hundreds of demonstrators protested on Friday, for the fourth consecutive day of calls against the removal of Bar.