Why it matters:
The unprecedented turmoil within the Israeli regime’s internal security agency underscores deep fractures in the regime’s leadership, with growing concerns that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is politicizing key institutions to secure his grip on power.
The big picture:
The Israeli cabinet unanimously voted to dismiss Bar, but the decision has triggered fierce backlash from opposition parties. Critics argue that Netanyahu’s move is aimed at obstructing an ongoing Shin Bet investigation into his inner circle over security breaches and foreign ties.
What they're saying:
Israeli Minister for military affairs Israel Katz (in a confidential meeting): Bar was “spying at the political level” and “gathering intelligence to plan a coup.”
Opposition parties, including Yesh Atid: "Netanyahu is trying to weaken independent institutions and avoid accountability."
Critics: "The dismissal follows a Shin Bet report blaming political leaders for failing to prevent Operation Al-Aqsa Flood."
Key points:
- Bar’s last day in office is set for April 10 unless a successor is appointed earlier.
- The Israeli Supreme Court has temporarily blocked Bar’s removal, and the attorney general has ruled that Netanyahu cannot name a replacement.
- Protests have erupted across occupied territories in response to the decision.
Go deeper:
With internal divisions escalating, Netanyahu faces mounting legal and political challenges. His dismissal of Bar could deepen public distrust in the Israeli regime’s security apparatus, especially as the regime has renewed its genocide in Gaza.
Mojtaba Darabi
