The Israeli government approved the ouster of Shin Bet head Ronen Bar on Thursday night, sparking widespread protests across the country. The move has been criticized by opposition figures and experts, who see it as an attempt to silence a key check on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s power.
Netanyahu announced his intention to fire Bar last week, citing a lack of personal trust between them, but the move was met with fierce resistance from Bar and his supporters. In a defiant letter sent to the government, Bar claimed that the dismissal process was illegal and that Netanyahu had not presented concrete evidence to justify it.
The attempt to oust Bar comes amid growing concerns about Israel’s democracy and the rule of law. Critics argue that Netanyahu’s right-wing government is seeking to reduce checks on his power and undermine independent state watchdogs. The move has been likened to previous efforts to overhaul the judiciary, which were met with protests in 2023.
Netanyahu has been under police investigation and is on trial on corruption charges, which he denies. He has repeatedly accused a liberal “deep state” of conducting a witch hunt against him. The Shin Bet is investigating officials in Netanyahu’s office over claims that they leaked secret documents to the media and worked for people connected to Qatar.
The ousting of Bar raises concerns about loyalty and checks on power. Thousands protested in Jerusalem on Wednesday, with more demonstrations taking place on Thursday. Prominent opposition figures joined the protesters, including a former deputy chief of the military.
Israel’s democracy is seen as fragile, with no formal written constitution and a president whose role is mostly ceremonial. The country’s current president, Isaac Herzog, warned against unilateral actions that could harm social cohesion and resilience.
The move by Netanyahu has been condemned by experts and opposition figures, who argue that it undermines the independence of the Shin Bet and increases polarization in the country. The government’s decision to approve the ousting without consulting an advisory committee on senior appointments has also raised eyebrows among legal experts.
As tensions continue to rise in Israel, analysts warn that the country is moving further away from democracy and towards a more authoritarian system.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/20/world/middleeast/israel-netanyahu-shin-bet-ronen-bar.html