Netanyahu, AG clash over dismissal of Shin Bet chief

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara disputed on Friday over the government's attempt to replace Shin Bet security chief Ronen Bar, reported Xinhua.

Baharav-Miara issued a directive prohibiting Netanyahu from taking any action to remove Bar after the High Court temporarily blocked the government's attempt to dismiss him.

"It is prohibited to appoint a new Shin Bet chief," she stated, also banning interviews for the post.

In response, Netanyahu rejected the directive, reaffirming the government's authority over security appointments.

"Israel is a state of law, and according to the law, the government decides who heads the Shin Bet," his office said in a statement. "There will be no civil war."

Earlier on Friday, the High Court intervened to suspend Bar's dismissal while it reviewed a petition filed by opposition parties, who accused Netanyahu of a "severe conflict of interest."

They claim Netanyahu is attempting to remove Bar in retaliation for Shin Bet's investigations into his government's handling of security failures leading up to the October 7 Hamas attack.

Bar's tenure, initially set to end on April 20, was moved up to April 10 by the cabinet, though officials indicated he could depart sooner if a successor is appointed.

Tensions between Netanyahu and Bar have heightened since the war began, fueled by Shin Bet's investigations into the government's wartime decision-making and the "Qatar-Gate" affair, involving alleged undisclosed contacts between Netanyahu aides and Qatari officials.

Israeli media reported that Netanyahu's cabinet will debate a motion of no confidence against Baharav-Miara on Sunday. The government's intent to remove her from office was confirmed hours after the dispute with the prime minister.