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Netanyahu calls the Supreme Court decision on the SHin Bet chief case “baffling”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu through his office criticised the Supreme Court ruling postponing the dismissal of Shin Bet chief Ronan Bar. A further political challenge for the Israeli government

Benjamin Netanyahu called the Israeli Supreme Court’s ruling to keep Shin Bet chief Ronan Bar on duty until 19 April “baffling”, setting a deadline for a possible compromise between the government and Bar’s position. The decision comes after a long political controversy over Bar’s dismissal, with the Israeli PM expressing his dissatisfaction from his visit to the US aboard the Wing of Zion plane.

Netanyahu’s reaction to the Supreme Court ruling

According to Netanyahu, the ruling is incomprehensible, as the judges reiterated that it is up to the government to decide on the appointment and removal of the Shin Bet chief. ‘Therefore, the High Court’s decision to postpone the end of the Shin Bet’s tenure by 10 days is puzzling,’ the Israeli PM said, stressing that, according to his view, the government should have full control over such decisions. The ruling, which imposes a delay in dismissal, has raised further controversy, generating friction between the government and the Israeli judiciary.

Netanyahu’s accusations against the attorney general

In his statement, Netanyahu also accused Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara of wanting to obstruct Bar’s dismissal for reasons related to the investigation into the Qatargate scandal. According to the PM, the investigation would have no connection to the government or the ministers involved, and therefore it would not be justified to prevent the dismissal of the Shin Bet chief. Netanyahu raised doubts about the investigation being used as a pretext to keep Bar in his post, criticising the possibility that an intelligence chief could use an investigation to avoid his own dismissal.

The government’s position and upcoming developments

Despite the Supreme Court decision, Netanyahu confirmed that he will continue to interview candidates to replace Ronan Bar. The Israeli government is thus faced with a complex issue involving the role of the intelligence services and the relationship between politics and justice. The deadline of 19 April, imposed by the Supreme Court, could mark the turning point in this affair, with the government having to decide whether to comply with the ruling or go ahead with its plan to remove Bar.

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