Israel’s SC freezes Netanyahu’s order to sack security chief

JERUSALEM: Israel’s Supreme Court has issued an injunction to prevent the head of the nation’s security service from being fired by Benjamin Netanyahu, foreign media reported.

The Israeli cabinet formally approved the early dismissal of Ronen Bar on Thursday night, over the failure to anticipate the 7 October 2023 attack by Hamas. Netanyahu, the prime minister, said in a video statement last week that he intended to sack Bar, citing an “ongoing distrust” between the two that had “grown over time”. On Friday, the Supreme Court froze the dismissal until a hearing could be heard on the matter no later than 8 April, according to documents cited in Israeli media. Ronen Bar was appointed in October 2021 for a five-year term as the chief of the Shin Bet -- Israel’s domestic intelligence agency.

His sacking would be the first time in Israel’s history that a government has fired the Shin Bet’s leader. Netanyahu’s plan to dismiss him sparked outrage and further inflamed anti-government demonstrations in Jerusalem, which saw thousands of Israelis join forces with protestors opposing Israel’s renewed assault on Gaza.