The Israeli government unanimously approves the dismissal of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar

The Israeli Supreme Court issued a court order on Friday temporarily blocking the dismissal of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar.

The order will remain in effect until the court can hear the petitions filed against his dismissal, saying that it would hear the petitions no later than April 8.

The decision came after a petition was filed by the parties involved, with Judge Gila Kanfi-Steinitz explaining that the decision aims to prevent the claim that an irreversible situation has occurred.

According to Israel’s Channel 12, the court decided that the petitions would be heard before a judicial panel as soon as possible, with the hearing scheduled for April 8.

The judge also ordered Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister’s legal adviser, and the head of the Shin Bet security service to submit their positions on the request to freeze the dismissal by next Monday.

They must also submit their full response to the petitions 72 hours before the hearing.

This move comes at a time of heightened domestic political tension in Israel.

Excerpts from a cabinet meeting that lasted until the early hours of the morning were leaked, during which ministers unanimously approved the decision to dismiss Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar.

According to the leaks, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to hint that he might refuse to comply with the Supreme Court’s ruling.

Netanyahu said at the meeting, “Does anyone think we will continue to operate without trust because of a court order? This cannot and won’t happen”.

He added, “He misuses the word ‘trust.’ He knows I don’t ask for a personal duty of trust”.

Netanyahu also clarified that the head of the Shin Bet should have handled matters related to the investigations personally, not by publicly promoting a political course.

The Israeli government unanimously approved on Friday the dismissal of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, the first such decision in Israel’s history.

“The government unanimously approved the prime minister’s proposal to terminate the duties of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement.

Ronen Bar is scheduled to end his tenure as head of the Shin Bet on April 10, 2025, or when a permanent head of the security service is appointed—whichever comes first—according to a government decision.

This is the first time in Israel’s history that a Shin Bet chief has been dismissed.

On Thursday, Bar sent a letter to the government in response to Netanyahu’s decision to dismiss him, saying it contains unsubstantiated allegations and conceals other motives.

Bar sent his letter as the government began a session Thursday evening to vote on his dismissal, without him agreeing to attend the session.

Barr said in his letter, “Unfortunately, the proposed dismissal resolution, as currently drafted, contains general, terse, and unsubstantiated allegations, making it impossible for me to provide a structured response and appearing to obscure the true motives behind it”.

He added, “I confirm that in a prior conversation with the Prime Minister, I wasn’t able to discuss these allegations as they appear in the proposed resolution, which appear to have been put forward specifically for this action (referring to his dismissal)”.

He continued, “Dealing seriously with such allegations requires a structured process, including the presentation of relevant documents, and not just a formal procedure with a predetermined outcome”.

He added, “The State of Israel is going through a particularly difficult and complex period… 59 detainees remain in the heart of the Gaza Strip, and the battle against Hamas hasn’t yet been resolved,” adding, “We’re in the midst of a multi-front war, and the Iranian hand extends deep into the state”.

On Sunday evening, Netanyahu announced that he had decided to dismiss Bar due to a “lack of confidence” in him, as a result of the repercussions of the events of October 7, 2023.

While Barr hinted at political motives behind the prime minister’s decision, saying it stemmed from his refusal to meet Netanyahu’s demands for “personal loyalty”.

Israeli Attorney General Gali Beharev-Miara confirmed on Friday that the government isn’t permitted to appoint a new head of the Shin Bet security service at this time, following the Supreme Court’s decision to freeze the dismissal of its chief, Ronen Bar.