Israel’s High Court of Justice has temporarily blocked the government from removing Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, issuing an interim injunction on Tuesday that keeps him in office until further notice. The government and the attorney general have until April 20 to negotiate a compromise.
The decision came after a contentious 11-hour hearing on Bar’s dismissal, which sparked courtroom disruptions—including from Likud MK Tally Gotliv—that forced judges to halt proceedings and eject protesters.
The court barred the government from taking any action to oust Bar or limit his authority, though it may continue interviewing potential replacements.
Justices expressed serious concerns over procedural flaws in the firing and sided with Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, who had warned that the dismissal should first go through an advisory committee.
The legal battle reflects broader tensions between the Netanyahu government and the judiciary, as critics argue the firing is politically motivated. Petitioners—including civil society groups and opposition parties—claim Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has a conflict of interest, citing Shin Bet’s ongoing investigation into aides accused of covertly working for Qatar while on his payroll.
Critics also accuse Netanyahu of trying to scapegoat Bar for the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack while dodging accountability himself.
Netanyahu, meanwhile, insists he acted lawfully and has the authority to dismiss Bar, citing national security failures as justification. He also claims, without evidence, that the investigations surrounding his office are part of a broader plot by Israel’s “deep state” to undermine his leadership.
The case is now being overseen by the Supreme Court’s top three justices, with a potential resolution hinging on talks between the Cabinet Secretary and the Attorney General’s Office.
