Netanyahu and Attorney General in Dispute Over Shin Bet Chief's Dismissal

Synopsis

The clash between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara centers on the attempted removal of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar. Following a High Court intervention, Baharav-Miara has prohibited any actions regarding Bar's dismissal, citing ongoing investigations into security failures by Netanyahu's government.

Key Takeaways

Netanyahu and Baharav-Miara disagree on Shin Bet leadership.
The High Court temporarily blocked Bar's dismissal.
Baharav-Miara's directive bans appointing a new chief.
Netanyahu insists on government authority over security roles.
Opposition parties accuse Netanyahu of conflict of interest.

Jerusalem, March 22 (NationPress) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara are at odds over the government's move to replace Shin Bet security chief Ronen Bar.

Baharav-Miara has issued a directive that prevents Netanyahu from taking any steps to dismiss Bar after the High Court temporarily halted the government's efforts to remove him, according to Xinhua news agency.

"It is prohibited to appoint a new Shin Bet chief," she declared, also prohibiting interviews for the position.

In reply, Netanyahu dismissed the directive, emphasizing the government's control over security appointments.

"Israel functions under the rule of law, and the government is responsible for deciding who leads Shin Bet," his office stated. "There will be no civil war."

Earlier on Friday, the High Court stepped in to pause Bar's dismissal while it assessed a petition from opposition parties, who have accused Netanyahu of a "serious conflict of interest."

They argue that Netanyahu is trying to oust Bar in revenge for Shin Bet's investigations into his government's management of security issues prior to the October 7 Hamas attack.

Bar's original tenure was set to conclude on April 20, but the cabinet has moved it up to April 10, although officials suggested he may leave earlier if a successor is appointed.

Strains between Netanyahu and Bar have escalated since the war began, fueled by Shin Bet's inquiries into the government's wartime decision-making and the "Qatar-Gate" scandal, which involves alleged undisclosed interactions between Netanyahu's aides and Qatari officials.

Israeli media has reported that Netanyahu's cabinet will discuss a motion of no confidence against Baharav-Miara on Sunday. The government's intention to dismiss her was confirmed shortly after the clash with the prime minister.