Chaos Erupts As Israel’s Top Court Hears Case Against Shin Bet Leader’s Firing

Israel’s Supreme Court began hearings Tuesday into Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s firing of the head of the Shin Bet domestic security agency, prompting chaos inside and outside the courtroom and drawing renewed attention to deepening political divisions in the country amid the ongoing war in Gaza, Agence France-Presse reported.

The case centers on Netanyahu’s decision last month to dismiss Ronen Bar, citing a “lack of trust” and failure to prevent the Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Hamas and its allies in southern Israel.

However, the top court froze the move after opposition parties and civil society groups filed petitions questioning its legality.

During Tuesday’s session, the courtroom erupted in shouting, prompting judges to clear the chamber and continue the hearing without an audience.

Outside the courthouse, government critics and supporters clashed, with some accusing Bar of failing to prevent Hamas’ attack, while others said Netanyahu was exploiting the situation to obstruct investigations into himself.

Bar, who was appointed by a previous government in 2021, has strongly rejected Netanyahu’s accusations, calling them “unsubstantiated” and politically motivated.

He claimed that his dismissal was intended to hinder Shin Bet investigations into “events leading up to October 7” and the so-called “Qatargate” scandal: Netanyahu’s close aides are accused of receiving covert payments from Qatar.

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara echoed similar concerns, warning that Bar’s removal risked politicizing the agency and was “tainted by a personal conflict of interest on the part of the prime minister due to the criminal investigations involving his associates.”

However, Netanyahu’s legal team argued the petitions were “purely political” and insisted the prime minister has the authority to remove agency heads.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu – who traveled to Washington this week – has described the “Qatargate” scandal as a political witch-hunt launched by what he called the “Deep State,” according to Reuters.

The court’s ruling is expected this week.

Bar, who previously said he would consider stepping down after the war and hostage crisis ends, is currently due to serve until 2026.