Israel's Supreme Court on Friday issued a temporary stay on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to dismiss Ronen Bar, the head of the Shin Bet internal security agency, until an appeal can be heard. The ruling came just hours after Netanyahu’s Cabinet unanimously approved Bar’s removal.
The court stated that Bar’s dismissal would be delayed until a hearing scheduled no later than April 8. Netanyahu’s office had previously announced that the firing would take effect on April 10, but could be expedited if a replacement was appointed sooner.
Legal challenge and political fallout
Israel’s Attorney General has declared that the government has no legal grounds to dismiss Bar. The move follows a Shin Bet report that acknowledged security failures leading up to Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel but also cited policies under Netanyahu’s government as contributing factors.
Bar’s removal has deepened existing tensions between Netanyahu’s administration and the security establishment, especially after months of political turmoil following mass protests against the government’s judicial overhaul plan.
Growing unrest amid war in Gaza
The dismissal has also fueled ongoing demonstrations by families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza. Many protestors, already angered by the government’s decision to resume military operations after a temporary truce, have linked Bar’s removal to broader political maneuvering.
In a strongly worded letter published Thursday, Bar called his dismissal “baseless” and suggested it was driven by “illegitimate concerns.” The controversy is further complicated by an ongoing investigation into bribery allegations involving Qatar and Netanyahu’s aides.
With tensions rising, all eyes are now on the Supreme Court’s ruling expected by April 8, which could have significant implications for Israel’s political and security landscape.