Israel’s Supreme Court has ruled to halt Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to dismiss Shin Bet’s Director Ronen Bar, the country’s internal intelligence agency’s chief.

According to the Israeli press, the Supreme Court suspended the government’s decision to remove the Shin Bet Director from office. The court announced that a hearing would take place no later than April 8th to listen to appeals on the matter. The decision received backlash, especially from individuals associated with the far-right within Netanyahu’s government.

CALL FROM RIGHT-WING MINISTERS
Following the resumption of attacks on Gaza by Israel, breaking the ceasefire, and the dismissal of the Shin Bet Director, far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who returned to the government, urged to re-launch judicial reforms limiting the judiciary’s powers instated by the Netanyahu administration. Ben-Gvir shared on social media, “Judicial reform back immediately.” The far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich commented, “The Supreme Court will not wage war, will not choose its commanders, end of story.”

“THIS GOVERNMENT’S DECISION, YOUR ORDER INVALID”
Communication Minister Shlomo Karhi stated in a post, “Respected judge, Bar’s tenure ends on April 10, and will end earlier if a replacement is appointed. You have no legal authority to intervene in this matter. It is within this government’s jurisdiction, your order is invalidated. Popular protests against the removal of the Shin Bet Director, who was investigating files involving close advisors of Netanyahu, continue in the country. This weekend is expected to see mass protests across Israel, especially in Tel Aviv and West Jerusalem, against the Netanyahu government’s resumption of attacks on Gaza and dismissal of the Shin Bet Director.

NETANYAHU’S DECISION REGARDING SHIN BET
The Israeli government approved the removal of Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar late at night. Bar’s term was reported to end either on April 10 or upon the appointment of a new Shin Bet Director. Prime Minister Netanyahu justified his decision to dismiss Shin Bet Director Bar due to “prolonged and increasing lack of trust,” whereas Bar accused Netanyahu of acting “personally.” Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara stated that the Prime Minister couldn’t dismiss the Shin Bet Director “arbitrarily.”