Israel's Supreme Court today froze the decision of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to remove the head of the domestic intelligence agency “Shin Bet“ Ronen Bar. The freeze is being made in order to review the appeals against it, the agencies quoted by BTA reported.
“A temporary measure is hereby ordered to suspend the effect of the decision that is subject to appeals until another decision is made“, the court said in a statement.
The court added that it is postponing the dismissal, and the appeals can be considered no later than April 8. Netanyahu's office said that Barr's dismissal will take effect on April 10, but this could happen earlier if his replacement is found.
A report by the “Shin Bet“ on the October 7, 2023, attack by the Palestinian movement “Hamas“ on southern Israel, which triggered the Gaza war, acknowledged the security agency's failures. But it also says that the policies of Netanyahu's government created the conditions for the attack.
Meanwhile, Israel's cabinet is due to meet on Sunday to vote on a no-confidence motion against the attorney general, who is a critic of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, marking the start of a lengthy dismissal process.
“We decide to declare our lack of confidence in Gali Baharav-Miara due to her inappropriate behavior and due to significant and prolonged differences between her and the government,“ said the cabinet meeting agenda on the prime minister's office website, published today, hours after the government fired the head of Israel's domestic intelligence.