Israeli Supreme Court Deems Netanyahu’s Firing of Shin Bet Chief Unlawful

Israel’s Supreme Court has delivered a significant ruling regarding the dismissal of Ronen Bar, the head of the domestic security agency Shin Bet, declaring the government’s decision to terminate him as “unlawful.” This verdict adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing tension between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration and the judiciary.

In its decision announced on Wednesday, the Supreme Court highlighted that the dismissal was executed through an “improper and unlawful process.” It further noted that Netanyahu was in a position of conflict of interest, given that the Shin Bet was engaged in an investigation concerning potential links between some of the prime minister’s closest associates and Qatar.

The backdrop to this ruling includes intense exchanges between Netanyahu and Bar, particularly in the wake of the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, which precipitated a significant escalation of hostilities in Gaza. Netanyahu initially cited a breakdown of “trust” as the reason for Bar’s proposed dismissal, implying that it was directly tied to the events of that fateful day. In contrast, Bar contended that Netanyahu’s motivations were rooted in a series of encounters that took place between November 2024 and February 2025.

Details from the court’s unclassified submissions revealed that Bar had been informed by Netanyahu on multiple occasions of his expectation for Shin Bet to investigate individuals involved in protests against his government, particularly focusing on those who financed these demonstrations. Bar resisted requests from Netanyahu that aimed to exempt him from testifying in an ongoing corruption trial where he faces allegations of bribery, fraud, and breach of public trust.

The Supreme Court’s ruling pointed out that Bar’s dismissal lacked a factual basis and did not follow proper legal procedures, including the absence of a formal hearing. The ruling underscored irregularities in the decision-making process, reflecting a disregard for critical principles of internal security.

The Israeli cabinet’s vote for Bar’s dismissal in March sparked widespread protests and claims of authoritarianism emerging from the right-wing government. In response to public outcry, the High Court of Justice intervened to suspend the dismissal until a thorough hearing could take place. Following Bar’s announcement of his intention to resign, the government retracted its decision to fire him just a day later. The Supreme Court noted that Bar’s resignation effectively concluded the legal proceedings surrounding this matter.

This ruling reinforces the importance of judicial oversight and due process in matters affecting national security and governance, ensuring that institutional checks and balances remain intact, even amidst political turbulence.

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