The Media Line: Israel’s Top Court Orders Temporary Stay on Shin Bet Chief’s Dismissal, Calls for Compromise by April 20 

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Israel’s Top Court Orders Temporary Stay on Shin Bet Chief’s Dismissal, Calls for Compromise by April 20 

Israel’s Supreme Court urged the government to negotiate a compromise over the contested dismissal of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, after a heated 11-hour hearing was repeatedly disrupted by protesters 

Simcha Pasko/The Media Line 

Israel’s Supreme Court issued an interim injunction late Tuesday, temporarily blocking the government’s dismissal of Shin Bet (internal security service) chief Ronen Bar while urging officials to reach a compromise over the highly contentious decision by April 20.  

The injunction mandates that Bar remain in office “until further notice,” explicitly prohibiting the government from taking steps to replace him or impede his authority at the Shin Bet. This comes following heated proceedings lasting 11 hours that were repeatedly disrupted by protesters, initially ending with Supreme Court President Isaac Amit urging dialogue to resolve the dispute surrounding Bar’s termination. 

“We are not setting a deadline; we are encouraging dialogue,” Amit clarified, cautioning that if negotiations fail, the court would need to rule on the pending petitions against Bar’s dismissal, officially scheduled for this Thursday. However, the court will likely have to extend this date if no resolution is reached promptly. 

Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs, present at the hearing, stated that a deal should instead be reached by the start of the Passover holiday, which begins Saturday evening. Amit encouraged the opposing sides to come to an agreement by the end of the holiday season, Sunday night the following week. 

Meanwhile, Justice Noam Sohlberg first recommended referring the matter to the advisory committee responsible for appointments of the Shin Bet head, reiterating the attorney general’s original directive to the government, which Netanyahu’s administration had bypassed. 

Netanyahu’s move to dismiss Bar last month was halted temporarily after petitions alleged that the prime minister acted out of political interest to obstruct a Shin Bet investigation into ties between Netanyahu’s close aides and Qatar, known as “Qatargate.” Netanyahu has denied personal involvement and insists his loss of confidence in Bar stems from the Shin Bet’s failure to prevent Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack. 

Earlier in the day, courtroom proceedings were marred by disruptions, including outbursts from bereaved families and lawmakers from Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party. Judges temporarily suspended the session, removing protesters who shouted accusations at the court and Bar himself. 

The Supreme Court has not yet indicated when it will issue its final ruling, stressing instead the importance of negotiations to prevent further escalation.