Netanyahu Denies Shin Bet Chief’s Firing Linked to Qatar Inquiry

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denied any connection between his decision to fire Shin Bet (Israel's domestic intelligence agency) chief Ronen Bar and an ongoing investigation into alleged ties between officials in his office and the Qatari government.

Speaking on Saturday, Netanyahu insisted that Bar was dismissed because of the agency’s report on the 7 October 2023 attack, not because of Shin Bet’s inquiry into potential financial dealings between government officials and Qatar.

"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 in his speech.

Public Outrage and protests

The decision to remove Bar has triggered mass protests, with tens of thousands of Israelis taking to the streets. Many demonstrators see the move as an attempt to undermine Israel’s democracy. Anger has also been fueled by the government’s recent airstrikes on Gaza, which have killed more than 590 people, including 200 children, disrupting a two-month truce.

The Israeli Supreme Court has temporarily blocked Netanyahu’s decision, suspending the firing until a hearing is held by 8 April at the latest. Additionally, the country’s attorney general is also of the view that Netanyahu cannot appoint a new Shin Bet director until the matter is resolved.

It’s my right to decide, says Netanyahu

Despite legal challenges, Netanyahu has remained defiant, asserting that the authority to fire and appoint security agency heads lies with the government.

"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," he wrote in a post on X.

Opposition calls for nationwide strike

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid has called for a nationwide strike if Netanyahu does not comply with the Supreme Court’s ruling.

"If that happens, the entire country should stop," Lapid told thousands of protesters in Tel Aviv, warning that defying the court would place the government outside the rule of law.

With tensions rising and legal battles ahead, Netanyahu’s decision continues to spark intense political turmoil in Israel.