The Israeli Supreme Court issued a decision on Wednesday invalidating the government’s move to end the tenure of Shin Bet director Ronen Bar, citing serious procedural failures and a lack of legal justification for his removal. According to the ruling, the process did not meet basic legal standards, and no concrete evidence had been presented to support the decision to dismiss him.
The justices also pointed to a conflict of interest involving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, referencing ongoing probes tied to his associates in the “Qatargate” scandal. However, the court opted not to issue any additional orders in the matter, given that Bar had already made it known that he planned to leave his post.
Justice Noam Sohlberg expressed dissent, stating that the judiciary should refrain from getting involved in such executive decisions. He warned that interference could further exacerbate divisions within Israeli society and highlighted the complex balance the Shin Bet must strike between following government directives and maintaining political neutrality.
Last month, after Ronen Bar declared that he would resign effective June 15, the government retracted its attempt to fire him.
{Matzav.com Israel}