Protests in Israel: Thousands against Netanyahu's controversial dismissal!

Protests in Israel: Thousands against Netanyahu's controversial dismissal!

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's prime minister, shockingly announced the dismissal of Ronen Bar, head of the domestic intelligence service Shin Bet, on Sunday evening. The reason? A “lack of trust” between the two. According to reports, the relationship has long been strained, particularly since the Shin Bet's failed attempt to anticipate the devastating Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. That decision and the abruptly announced resignation of Bar, whose term would have lasted until October 2026, have sparked nationwide protests. In pouring rain, thousands gathered outside Netanyahu's official residence to vent their displeasure, while police used water cannons to control the crowd, reports said vienna.at.

Bar's firing could also have political motives, as he has spoken out against measures affecting the ongoing investigation into suspected payments to Qatar by Netanyahu's advisers. Critics fear that a successor closer to Netanyahu may try to stop the “Qatargate” investigation. Opposition leader Jair Lapid expressed concern and announced that the opposition would take action against this “reckless step”. This could turn the Shin Bet into the prime minister's tool to take action against political opponents, they fear. Netanyahu had previously stopped Bar's involvement in negotiations with Hamas when he feared that it was not producing the desired results bbc.com reported.

Consequences of dismissal

Bar's dismissal coincided with a resurgence of military clashes in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has intensified its offensive against Hamas after ending a fragile ceasefire since Tuesday. In a nationally condemned response to the Hamas attacks, more than 48,500 Palestinians died, according to Hamas' health ministry. Israel's military is also carrying out targeted attacks on suspected Hamas targets and has resumed its ground offensive.