Netanyahu denies links between dismissal of Shin Bet chief and investigation
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (photo: Getty Images)
Recently, Israel approved the dismissal of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar. Benjamin Netanyahu denies that the decision was made due to an investigation into his ties with the Qatari government, according to The Guardian.
In his Saturday speech, Netanyahu stated that he decided to dismiss Ronen Bar following a Shin Bet report on the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. In other words, this was before the investigation into the Prime Minister (Netanyahu).
"Ronen Bar will not remain head of the Shin Bet. There will not be a civil war, and Israel will remain a democratic state," Netanyahu said.
Shin Bet stated that it had launched an investigation into the connections between officials from the Prime Minister's office and the Qatari government in early February, before the publication of the October 7 report.
The investigation concerns allegations that some employees of the Prime Minister's office, as well as other government institutions, accepted money to promote Qatar's interests.
The decision to dismiss Bar led to protests in the streets, with tens of thousands of Israelis demonstrating against what they called an attack on the country's democracy. The demonstrations were also triggered by the government's resumption of airstrikes on Gaza this week, which resulted in over 590 deaths, including 200 children, and the breaking of a two-month ceasefire.
The Supreme Court of Israel has suspended Netanyahu's decision to dismiss the head of internal security, a decision that will remain in effect until the hearing, which is scheduled for no later than April 8. The country's Attorney General also stated that the Prime Minister cannot appoint a new Shin Bet director.
In response, Netanyahu stated on social media platform X that he has the right to dismiss and appoint agency heads.
"There will be no civil war! The state of Israel is a state of law, and according to the law, the government of Israel decides who will be the head of the Shin Bet," said the Israeli Prime Minister.
Meanwhile, the leader of the Israeli opposition, Yair Lapid, called for a nationwide strike if Netanyahu does not comply with the Supreme Court's ruling. He stated that this would lead to the government being outside the law.
Additionally, the opposition leader's party condemned the dismissal of the head of Shin Bet, calling it a result of a conflict of interest.
It is noted that Netanyahu is facing trial in three separate corruption cases, including charges of fraud, bribery, and abuse of trust. Specifically, the Prime Minister was scheduled to testify in a corruption case on Tuesday, but the hearing was canceled after Israeli military forces resumed military operations in Gaza on the same day.
The Guardian added that Netanyahu also sought the dismissal of the country's Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, a long-time critic of his. The government is set to meet to initiate the process of her dismissal on Sunday.
