On Thursday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government decided to dismiss Ronen Bar. But already on Friday, the decision was temporarily halted by the country's highest court, which wants to review appeals filed against the dismissal.
In a document obtained by the AFP news agency, it is written that the freeze will remain in place until the appeals are presented, no later than April 8.
Furthermore, Israel's Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara announces that the Prime Minister is not allowed to appoint a successor during the ongoing process:
"According to the High Court's decision, it is forbidden to act in any way that could harm the position held by Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar," Baharav-Miara writes in a statement addressed to Netanyahu. She also emphasizes that even employment interviews with potential candidates are included in the ban.
Lacking Trust
Netanyahu stated earlier in the week that he wanted to dismiss Bar because he lacks confidence in him. The security chief was invited to the cabinet meeting, which began on Thursday evening, but chose not to attend.
Instead, he sent a letter to the assembled ministers, in which he reiterated his harsh criticism of Netanyahu and his demands for "personal loyalty", which Bar considers inappropriate.
Disagreement over Responsibility
The two men have disagreed about who bears the greater responsibility for Hamas' ability to carry out the bloody terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023.
Ronen Bar says he has taken responsibility for Shin Bet's failure at the time and that Netanyahu's decision now has little to do with it.
The dismissal must be formally approved by the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, and it is expected to be so, since Netanyahu's coalition has a majority.
