• Netanyahu says govt will appoint next intel chief • Attorney general bars PM from doing so

JERUSALEM: Israel’s supreme court on Wednesday ruled as “unlawful” the government’s decision to fire domestic security chief Ronen Bar in March, a move which had triggered mass protests in the country.

“The Supreme Court ruled that the government’s decision to terminate the head of the Shin Bet’s tenure was made through an improper and unlawful process,” the court ruling said.

The ruling is the latest twist in a judiciary and political affair that shook Israel since the government’s decision to sack Bar in March, which the supreme court froze.

Israel’s government said in late April it had cancelled its decision to fire Bar, a day after he announced he would stand down following weeks of tension with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Wednesday’s ruling noted “irregularities” in the process that led to Bar’s sacking, as well as “a disregard for fundamental principles regarding internal security.” The move to sack the security chief sparked large protests across Israel led by the opposition, which saw it as a sign Netanyahu’s government’s was slipping towards autocracy.

Netanyahu had argued that the government was allowed to sack Bar, whom he blames for the security failure that allowed Hamas’ Oct 7, 2023, raid. Noting Bar’s decision to quit the job, the supreme court ruling said that “this announcement puts an end to the (legal) procedure”.

In its ruling, the Supreme Court determined that the dismissal was done in violation of the law, and that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a conflict of interest because of an investigation into the “Qatar-Gate” affair.

Bar announced his resignation in April, saying he would step down on June 15, six weeks after Netanyahu tried to oust him.

Next intel chief

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that his government would appoint the country’s next domestic intelligence agency chief, despite Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara barring him from doing so.

“Under my command, the government of Israel will appoint the next head of the Shin Bet” agency, Netanyahu said in his first televised presser since December.

Israel’s attorney general barred Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from appointing the next head of the domestic intelligence agency, after the supreme court ruled his decision to sack outgoing Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar was illegal.

“The court ruled that the prime minister acted in a situation of conflict of interest,” Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara said, adding that “as a result, he must refrain from any action related to the appointment of a new head of the Shin Bet until legal guidelines are established to ensure the integrity of the process.”

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2025