Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office called a High Court ruling to temporarily block the dismissal of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar “puzzling” but did not clarify whether the government would comply with it. The court’s interim order bars the government from firing Bar or naming a replacement until April 20, while it works to reach a compromise with the attorney general.
Despite the court affirming the government’s general authority to remove the Shin Bet head, it insisted that due process — including a hearing — must be followed. Netanyahu’s office disagreed, citing a precedent where no hearing was held before an attempted dismissal of the police commissioner by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.
The Prime Minister’s Office also accused Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara of opposing Bar’s removal to protect the ongoing “Qatargate” investigation into Netanyahu’s aides, calling her motives political. Baharav-Miara is also facing efforts by the government to remove her from office.
“It’s unthinkable that a Shin Bet head could block dismissal simply by launching an unrelated investigation,” the statement said. Netanyahu’s office confirmed he will continue interviewing candidates to replace Bar.
Meanwhile, several ministers condemned the court’s ruling outright. Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi called the decision illegitimate and urged the government to defy it, writing on X: “Ronen Bar will end his term on April 10 — that’s our obligation.”
The dispute reflects growing tensions between the judiciary and Netanyahu’s government, as critics warn of eroding checks and balances. The controversy also deepens the political fallout from the October 7 Hamas attack, for which Bar has been partially blamed.
