Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sparked outrage by pushing to fire Israel’s domestic security chief, Ronen Bar. The move comes amid ongoing investigations into ties between Netanyahu’s advisers and the Gulf state of Qatar.
Bar’s dismissal is motivated by a crisis of confidence in his ability to prevent the Oct. 7, 2023, disaster that triggered the war in Gaza. However, critics say the decision is part of a broader campaign aimed at undermining independent government institutions and boosting Netanyahu’s reputation while he faces corruption charges.
The Attorney General’s office has raised concerns about the legality of Netanyahu’s decision, citing the need for clarification on the legal basis. Netanyahu has responded with a warning letter to the Attorney General, stating she has no authority to intervene in the matter.
Tensions between Netanyahu and Bar had been building for months over their differing views on how to handle Hamas. The Shin Bet investigation into its Oct. 7 failures pointed blame at both parties, but critics say Netanyahu’s move is an attempt to silence witnesses to his alleged failures leading up to the attack.
Netanyahu has a history of challenging state institutions and has launched several high-profile attacks on the judiciary, police, and media. His opponents argue that these moves are part of a broader effort to maintain power while under investigation for corruption charges.
The dismissal of Bar and other top officials raises concerns about the balance of powers in Israel’s government and highlights Netanyahu’s efforts to surround himself with loyalists ahead of the next election.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/netanyahu-shin-bet-chief-fired-israel-0f1e69a1a4287cf0d176e8535d959c80