Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has faced a major setback in his efforts to remove Ronen Bar, the head of Israel’s most powerful security agency, Shin Bet. A Supreme Court judge issued an injunction on Friday freezing Bar’s dismissal until a hearing can be held on the matter.
The move comes as Netanyahu’s cabinet voted unanimously to fire Bar, but it also raises concerns about the government’s handling of sensitive information and its potential impact on national security.
Netanyahu claimed he lost trust in Bar following Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, but opponents argue that his decision is driven by political motives. Bar had warned Netanyahu about the potential risks of prematurely removing him from the negotiations team during the Gaza hostage deal, which could have jeopardized the efforts to release the hostages.
The Supreme Court’s decision has been welcomed by opposition parties, who will appeal to the court to halt and overturn the dismissal. Former Israeli Supreme Court president Aharon Barak expressed concerns that the government’s moves are bringing the country closer to a civil war.
Bar will finish his term on April 10 or when his successor is appointed – whichever comes first. Netanyahu has also started taking steps to fire the attorney general tasked with prosecuting those cases connected to Qatar’s alleged involvement in the Prime Minister’s Office.
The controversy surrounding Bar’s removal highlights the deepening domestic and constitutional crises in Israel, as well as the escalating tensions between Netanyahu and his critics.
Source: https://www.axios.com/2025/03/21/israel-cabinet-shin-bet-ronen-bar-fired-cabinet-vote