Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pressed forward with his plan to oust two senior officials from his government, sparking widespread criticism and protests. The removal of the internal security chief, Bar, has been deemed unconstitutional by opposition leaders, who have petitioned the Supreme Court for an injunction.
Netanyahu’s move comes amid tensions in Gaza, where Israeli forces have launched a renewed offensive. The Business Forum, a group of 200 leading Israeli business leaders, has threatened to “bring the Israeli economy to a halt” if the government does not comply with the court order to temporarily freeze Bar’s removal.
Despite mounting criticism, Netanyahu remains defiant, stating that there will be no civil war and that the state is governed by law. However, experts warn of a potential constitutional crisis between the government and the Supreme Court, which could have far-reaching implications for Israel.
The feud between Netanyahu and his internal security chief has been building for months, with both men blaming each other for policy failures that allowed Hamas to carry out an attack last October. Bar has called for Netanyahu to prioritize striking a deal with Hamas to recover Israeli hostages, while Netanyahu and his allies have insisted on continuing the Gaza war until Hamas is eliminated.
The Shin Bet, Israel’s counterintelligence agency, has launched an investigation into allegations of improper ties between Netanyahu aides and foreign governments. The probe has been criticized by some as a potential conflict of interest, but Netanyahu has dismissed it as a conspiracy.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/03/21/israel-hamas-war-gaza-shin-bet