JERUSALEM, Mar 22 (NNN-MA’AN) – Israel’s High Court of Justice, yesterday issued a temporary injunction, against the dismissal of Ronen Bar, chief of Israel’s internal security service, Shin Bet.
According to the court, the injunction will remain in effect until the court hears the petition submitted, in opposition to Bar’s removal from office.
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement, early yesterday morning that, the Israeli government has unanimously approved Bar’s dismissal.
Bar’s last day in office is set for Apr 10, earlier than the initially planned Apr 20, though he may leave sooner, if a replacement is confirmed.
Bar was not present at the 3.5-hour-long meeting, finalising his dismissal, but sent a letter condemning the move as being “entirely tainted by conflicts of interest” and a “fundamentally invalid” attempt to obstruct the Shin Bet’s investigation, into Qatar’s influence on Netanyahu’s office, local media reported.
He referred to an inquiry into ties between Netanyahu’s close aides and the Qatari government. Qatar has played a key role in mediating between Israel and Hamas, for a ceasefire in Gaza, and the release of Israeli hostages. However, Qatar and Israel currently do not have formal diplomatic relations.
Later yesterday, the main opposition factions of the Israeli parliament – Yesh Atid, National Unity, Yisrael Beiteinu, and the Democrats – filed a petition with the High Court, requesting an order to overturn Bar’s dismissal.
The petition claimed that, the “hasty initiation of the dismissal” was taken, with a severe conflict of interest by Netanyahu, based on extraneous considerations, related to Shin Bet’s investigation into Netanyahu’s office, which “clearly indicated the responsibility of the political echelon for the Oct 7 disaster.”
“These things take on added significance, as the prime minister prevents the setup of a state commission of inquiry, and the entire government is openly and knowingly delaying a move that could examine its responsibility for the disaster,” read the petition.
Meanwhile, a cabinet meeting agenda, posted yesterday on the website of Netanyahu’s office, showed that, the Israeli government is due to meet tomorrow, for a vote of no confidence against Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, who ruled that the government has no legal basis to sack Bar.– NNN-MA’AN
