Thousands of Israelis have gathered in Tel Aviv to protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to dismiss the head of the Shin Bet domestic intelligence service, Ronen Bar, amid tensions over a ceasefire in Gaza and the continued detention of Israeli captives.
Netanyahu said he had lost confidence in Bar, who led Shin Bet since 2021. However, an injunction by Israel’s Supreme Court has temporarily frozen the dismissal. Critics, including opposition leader Yair Lapid, have accused Netanyahu of undermining democracy by seeking Bar’s removal.
Protesters in Tel Aviv waved Israeli flags and called for a deal that would see the release of remaining captives being held in Gaza. The protesters believe Netanyahu is prioritizing his own interests over national security concerns.
Netanyahu has dismissed accusations of a politically motivated decision, but critics argue he is trying to silence institutions underpinning Israel’s democracy. A general strike is planned if Netanyahu refuses to heed the Supreme Court’s ruling.
The situation remains uncertain with many captives still believed alive, and protesters fear they may be killed by their captors or Israeli bombardments. The fate of the remaining 59 captives hangs in the balance as Netanyahu convenes his cabinet on Sunday to launch impeachment proceedings against Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/22/thousands-of-israelis-protest-shin-bet-chiefs-dismissal-for-captives