Israel’s highest court has started a hearing on the legality of the controversial decision to dismiss domestic security chief Ronen Bar, with protests from both government supporters and critics causing interruptions. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on March 21 that his government had unanimously approved the motion to remove the head of the Shin Bet internal security agency, citing a „lack of trust“ and requiring Bar to step down by April 10.
The hearing, which took place on Tuesday, was prompted by petitions filed by opposition parties and non-profit organizations challenging the legality of the government’s decision. The Supreme Court had previously frozen the dismissal until a ruling was made. Demonstrations occurred outside the courtroom in Jerusalem, and inside, disruptions led to the judges pausing the proceedings after just 30 minutes.
Supreme Court President Yitzhak Amit criticized the behavior of government supporters and critics during the live broadcast of the hearing, calling for a break to restore order. The session resumed an hour later without an audience to allow for uninterrupted arguments. Media reports suggest that the judges will deliver a verdict later in the week.
Bar has contested the government’s decision to dismiss him, dismissing Netanyahu’s reasons as „general, unsubstantiated accusations.“ He claimed that the real motive behind his removal was to prevent investigations into significant events, including the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara also warned that Bar’s dismissal was influenced by a personal conflict of interest on the part of the prime minister due to ongoing criminal investigations involving his associates.
Baharav-Miara expressed concerns that firing Bar could politicize the position and undermine its independence. She submitted her legal opinion and letters from Bar to the Supreme Court, highlighting the potential consequences of the decision. In a letter to the court, Bar alleged that Netanyahu had asked him to intervene in his corruption trial, leading to a breakdown in trust between them. Netanyahu swiftly denied the accusations, labeling Bar’s statement as „full of lies.“
Appointed as Shin Bet chief in 2021 by the previous government, Bar has clashed with Netanyahu since the latter’s return to power in 2022. Tensions escalated following a government proposal to reform the judiciary, which sparked widespread protests and was shelved during the Gaza conflict. The relationship between Netanyahu and Bar deteriorated further after a Shin Bet report highlighted failures that contributed to the October 7 events, criticizing the government’s approach to Hamas.
Bar indicated that he would consider resigning before the end of his term due to his role in the attack, but only after the war concludes and the hostages in Gaza are released. The ongoing conflict between Netanyahu and Bar underscores the political turmoil surrounding the security chief’s dismissal.
