Israel is facing a constitutional crisis as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu moves to oust top officials. The move comes amid ongoing protests and tensions between the government and state institutions.
Netanyahu recently fired Ronen Bar, the head of the Shin Bet internal security service, citing a crisis of confidence sparked by the failures to prevent Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attacks. The government has also launched a process to dismiss Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, accusing her of obstructing its agenda.
The move is setting up a showdown between Netanyahu and the judiciary that could deepen divisions in Israel. Critics argue that a strong and independent judiciary is necessary against authoritarian rule.
Netanyahu’s government launched a sweeping overhaul of the judiciary in early 2023, which touched off mass protests. The overhaul has led to new divisions over who shouldered blame for not preventing Hamas’ deadliest day in Israel’s history.
The situation has raised concerns about internal strife and potential civil war. Experts warn that disobeying court rulings could lead to chaos, with potential consequences including widespread civil disobedience and the collapse of the government.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/netanyahu-attorney-general-firings-protests-israel-shin-bet-7664c1b41b894e64a4138096940c94a6