Netanyahu fires Shin Bet chief, Lapid: ‘Strike against dangerous government that ignores Supreme Court’

Tensions rise in Israel after removal of Ronen Bar. Opposition leader threatens a total blockade if PM does not comply with Supreme Court decision. Meanwhile, Netanyahu orders new attacks in Lebanon against Hezbollah

The Israeli Prime Minister, Benyamin Netanyahu, has declared that Israel will remain a democratic state, despite the government’s controversial decision to fire Ronen Bar, head of the Shin Bet, the country’s internal security agency. Netanyahu’s words came in a video released as thousands of people protested in the streets of Tel Aviv against the dismissal.

In response to mounting criticism, Netanyahu said: ‘Ronen Bar will not remain head of the Shin Bet, but there will be no civil war, and Israel will continue to be a democratic state’. These statements are a direct challenge to the Supreme Court, which temporarily blocked the government’s decision, freezing Bar’s dismissal.

Yair Lapid’s opposition and the threat of a general strike

On the other side, Yair Lapid, leader of the Israeli opposition, expressed strong disagreement with Netanyahu and threatened a general strike if the premier does not respect the Supreme Court decision. Lapid said: ‘A government that refuses to obey the law is dangerous and must be stopped’. Speaking in front of thousands of protesters in Tel Aviv, Lapid urged the country to mobilise against the government’s actions.

‘If Netanyahu will not listen to the Supreme Court, the entire country must stop. The economy, parliament, courts, schools and universities must go on strike,’ Lapid stressed, escalating the tone of the political confrontation.

New wave of attacks against Hezbollah in Lebanon

Meanwhile, as internal tensions continue, Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz ordered a new wave of attacks against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon. The Defence Minister’s office confirmed that these raids are a direct response to the firing of rockets into Israel. The first wave of attacks had been launched the same morning, aiming to hit strategic bases of the Hezbollah terrorist organisation.

According to the ministry, these military operations will continue until the threats against Israel are neutralised.

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(Photo: © AndKronos)