Netanyahu Fires Head of Israel’s Security Service Amid Post-Hamas Attack Fallout
Israel’s Supreme Court has temporarily blocked the decision by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to dismiss Ronen Bar, the head of the Shin Bet domestic intelligence agency, amid protests over the move.
The court’s order will remain in effect until it can hear petitions filed by Israel’s opposition and an NGO challenging the dismissal.
Bar’s removal followed an overnight vote by the government and comes after Shin Bet’s investigation into Netanyahu’s close aides for alleged national security breaches, including leaking classified documents to foreign media and allegedly receiving money from Qatar, which has supported Hamas.
In a letter made public on Thursday, Bar claimed his dismissal was driven by Netanyahu’s “personal interests.” Bar pointed to his agency’s investigation into the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, which concluded that a policy of quiet had allowed Hamas to build up significant military capabilities.
He argued that firing the head of the security service at this critical time could jeopardize the investigation and harm Israel’s national security.
The court’s ruling stated that Bar’s dismissal will remain frozen until the appeals are heard by April 8.
