Israeli Attorney General slams Netanyahu's move to oust Shin Bet Chief
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"Israel's" Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara condemned Prime Minister Netanyahu's attempt to dismiss Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, calling it "fundamentally flawed" and driven by a personal conflict of interest linked to criminal investigations involving Netanyahu's associates.
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"Israel's" Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara listens on as she attends a cabinet meeting at the Bible Lands Museum in occupied Al-Quds on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 (Pool Photo via AP)
Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has strongly criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's effort to dismiss Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar, calling the decision deeply compromised by personal interest and warning it could politicize one of Israel's most sensitive security institutions.
"The government's decision to terminate the tenure of the head of the Shin Bet is fundamentally flawed, tainted by a personal conflict of interest on the part of the Prime Minister due to the criminal investigations involving his associates," Baharav-Miara said in a statement released Friday. She added, "The move would lead to the politicisation of the position."
The scandal comes in light of deep fractures within the Israeli regime, particularly following Bar's public criticism of the government's catastrophic failure to prevent October 7 events. Bar has also overseen a Shin Bet investigation into Qatari financial transfers to Netanyahu's closest aides—now at the center of what domestic media are calling "Qatargate." Two of Netanyahu's advisors, Yonatan Urich and Eli Feldstein, were recently arrested in connection with the case. Netanyahu, who testified during the investigation, has dismissed the probe as "a political witch hunt," insisting it was designed "to prevent the dismissal" of Bar.
The Israeli Supreme Court has temporarily blocked Bar's removal, with a hearing scheduled for April 8. Bar, whose term officially ends April 10, has declared he will not leave his post until all remaining captives in Gaza are recovered and an inquiry into the government's handling of October 7 is formally launched.
As Netanyahu scrambles to replace Bar, his government has faced humiliation over the failed appointment of former Navy commander Eli Sharvit, whose record includes participation in mass protests against the ruling coalition and public support for policies opposed by Netanyahu. After backlash from within Likud and criticism from right-wing US allies like Senator Lindsey Graham, Netanyahu abruptly reversed Sharvit's appointment just one day after announcing it.
Read more: Netanyahu reverses decision on new Israeli security chief
In the meantime, the deputy Shin Bet chief—identified only as "Shin"—has been named interim director while Netanyahu continues searching for a compliant replacement.
The affair has sparked mass protests in Tel Aviv, occupied al-Quds, and beyond. Demonstrators accuse Netanyahu of weaponizing state institutions to evade accountability, obstruct justice, and suppress opposition. Yair Golan, head of the opposition Democrats party, declared the episode "a war on Israel," accusing the prime minister of "inciting, firing, and threatening to neutralize law enforcers" as investigations draw closer to his office.
At the same time, Netanyahu's coalition is pushing to remove Attorney General Baharav-Miara, whose legal stance derailed the dismissal of Bar. A vote on her removal is expected in the coming days.
