A protest took place in Tel Aviv on Monday in opposition to what demonstrators described as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s attempt to exert political control over the internal security agency Shin Bet (Shabak).

High-level participation raises concerns

The demonstration drew participation from senior Israeli officials, including the head of Mossad, the head of the National Security Council, senior army officers holding the rank of general, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and the current head of Shin Bet, Ronen Bar.

A massive demonstration by settlers in Tel Aviv, demanding Netanyahu's resignation and a comprehensive prisoner exchange deal (Qudsn) pic.twitter.com/jr4LB5d9rQ

— MenchOsint (@MenchOsint) April 21, 2025

According to Channel 12’s legal affairs correspondent, Bar posed a pointed question regarding the future independence of the agency: “Will the next head of Shin Bet, under similar circumstances, be able to say ‘no’ to the prime minister?”

Bar went on to warn: “Will he be able to say no, or will he understand that,  based on a flimsy and unfounded claim, Netanyahu could dismiss him from his post?”

Key meeting held without Shin Bet Chief

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Tensions appear to have escalated after a key security meeting concerning Gaza was held on Sunday in Netanyahu’s office without inviting the head of Shin Bet to attend.

The discussion reportedly covered various issues, including the distribution of humanitarian aid, and was attended by representatives from all other Israeli security branches.

Netanyahu seeking 'loyalty'

Bar said earlier on Monday that Netanyahu had pressured him to pledge personal loyalty while also instructing him to conduct surveillance on protesters opposing the government.

In a sworn statement submitted to the Supreme Court, the accusations mark the latest development in an ongoing legal and political conflict between Netanyahu and Bar after the government announced its intention to sack the security chief last month, sowing discord across "Israel".

In an affidavit submitted to the court on Monday, the security chief leveled multiple accusations against Netanyahu, including claims that the prime minister had demanded personal loyalty from him.

Bar stated that "it was clear" he would be expected to side with Netanyahu over the Supreme Court in a constitutional crisis, while also alleging that the prime minister had repeatedly instructed him to have Shin Bet act against Israeli settlers participating in anti-government protests, particularly by targeting their financial supporters.

Court temporarily blocks Shin Bet chief's removal

Last month, Netanyahu announced that his government had unanimously approved Bar's dismissal, citing 'lack of trust' while ordering him to vacate his position by April 10.

"Since we saw some sparks of willingness here... we are giving you until after Passover (which ends on April 19) to try to reach some kind of creative solution that is agreed upon, by both sides," Head of the Supreme Court Yitzhak Amit announced.

Bar was to end his role as head of the Shin Bet on April 10, 2025, or when a permanent Shin Bet head is appointed, whichever comes first, a government statement said on March 21.

This prompted the Israeli Supreme Court to freeze the decision and state that “Petitions shall be scheduled for a hearing before the panel (of judges) as soon as possible and no later than April 8," just hours after the decision was announced.