JC Israel Briefing Day 551: Court blocks Shin Bet chief’s dismissal

“We go in, blow up the facilities, and dismantle all the equipment, under American supervision and execution,” he said, adding that this is the best scenario.” He went on: “The second option, which we don’t want, is that they’ll simply drag out the negotiations, and in that case, the military option becomes the only choice.”

Elsewhere, Hamas’ Rafah Brigade is to be crushed, IDF chief Eyal Zamir ordered yesterday during a frontline visit to Gaza. He told troops in Gaza: “I expect of you to defeat the Rafah Brigade and lead to victory wherever you are fighting.” The IDF says he conducted an operational assessment with senior commanders directing the campaign in the south.

But the Netanyahu government suffered a major setback yesterday as Israel’s top court has blocked its plan to fire Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar. The decision is widely seen as a warning shot from the courts against Netanyahu’s desire to tighten political control over Israel’s security establishment. The court froze his dismissal and warned the government not to interfere with Bar’s authority. The ruling triggered scenes of chaos in court.

What did the ruling say?
It barred the government from firing Bar by imposing a freeze on his dismissal and banning any steps to restrict his powers. The government was told to reach a compromise by 20 April and warned ministers against appointing a successor or altering Bar’s authority in the meantime.

What happened in court?
There was chaos in court as bereaved families, coalition supporters, and others disrupted proceedings. Likud MP Tally Gotliv heckled the court because she objected to the prospect of it curbing government power, defied warnings, and was expelled. Chief Justice Amit suspended the session at one point and said that behaviour had been “quite outrageous.”

How will the government react?
There is confusion about the government’s response this morning as Interior Minister Moshe Arbel said before the hearing that the government would obviously respect any ruling. Yet Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi called the ruling “an illegal order” and indicated that he would like to see it ignored. Anti-government protesters say they are worried at the possibility it could be disregarded.

What do Israelis think?
More than a third of Jewish Israelis think that the government should ignore the court ruling and oust the Shin Bet chief from his position regardless. A poll from the Israel Democracy Institute found that some 36 per cent of Jewish Israelis back defying the court. On the political right, support for ignoring the ruling is rising. The survey also found that 54 per cent of Jewish Israelis think the government should obey the court, while 10 per cent remain undecided.

How did the opposition benches react?
National Unity party leader Benny Gantz said freezing out Bar “is playing with lives.” Yair Golan, leader of the left-wing Democrats party, warned of a “civil struggle” if the ruling is ignored. The centrist Yesh Atid accused Netanyahu of exploiting bereaved families to intimidate the court. Lapid’s party called the day’s events “a systematic dismantling of Israeli democracy.”

What was the basis of the court decision?
Justices claimed there were procedural violations, including the government’s failure to provide Bar with charges, evidence, or time to respond. The dismissal came while Bar was involved in an investigation targeting members of Netanyahu’s office and inner circle. Judges raised concerns that the firing may have been tainted by conflict of interest and political interference, undermining the integrity of the process.

In other news, internal conflicts in Palestinian politics are escalating. As Hamas is targeted by protesters in Gaza, the Palestinian president has now openly rebuked the group, accusing it of giving Israel cover to continue its military assault. Mahmoud Abbas urged Hamas to “cease making any irresponsible decisions”. His public criticism marks a rare direct confrontation with Hamas.

Meanwhile, Israeli security forces are investigating Palestinian reports that extremist settlers torched a Palestinian wedding hall in the West Bank. Police and the Shin Bet say they received reports that several Israeli citizens set fire to the venue near the town of Bidya. Graffiti found at the scene reportedly included “Revenge,” “Death to Arabs,” and “Fight the enemy, not the friend”.

And Yemen’s Houthi terrorists suffered a major blow yesterday in suspected US airstrikes that killed at least two people and wounded thirteen others, according to the group. The strikes hit targets around Hodeida’s al-Hawak District, near the airport.

Finally, a revolt of air force reservists who oppose government policy is gathering momentum. Hundreds of veterans, including former commanders, have signed a refusal letter demanding a hostage deal “even at the expense of ending the war.” It claims the renewed fighting “serves personal and not security interests” and will “lead to the deaths of the hostages, IDF soldiers, innocent civilians and wear down the reservists.”

The IDF says it will take strong action against reservists who refuse to show up when summoned. A similar reservist revolt erupted before 7 October over the judicial overhaul—but after the Hamas attacks, nearly all returned to duty.

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