Archiv: Coup in Israel Part II: Netanyahu fires Shin Bet chief and tries to fire Attorney General who both investigate Qatar-Gate / Supreme Court ruling ignored (status May 2025)


24.05.2025 - 00:26 [ Times of Israel ]

Former Israeli Air Force chief Nimrod Sheffer joins Golan’s Democrats party

“I am joining The Democrats today because it is a party with a backbone and public courage. The party that is leading the most determined struggle against the government and offers a path and real hope for Israel,” Sheffer said in a video announcement.

“Yesterday I heard the prime minister — a corrupt, failed man, who brought upon Israel the worst disaster in its history — declare that he does not accept the High Court of Justice ruling,” he said, referring to the decision that found Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s firing of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar to have been “unlawful” and that barred the premier from involvement in selecting Bar’s successor.

23.05.2025 - 23:07 [ vinnews.com ]

Netanyahu Ignores Attorney-General And Court, Appoints New Shin Bet Director

(May 22, 2025)

Just yesterday, the Supreme Court ruled by a 2-1 majority that Ronen Bar’s dismissal was tainted by a conflict of interest, particularly due to the Qatargate affair. Although Bar announced he would leave “voluntarily,” Netanyahu had initially sought to remove him, but retracted under legal pressure. Following the court’s ruling, Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara instructed Netanyahu to refrain from involvement in appointing Bar’s successor.

Despite this, Netanyahu announced the new appointment today, openly defying the AG’s directive.

23.05.2025 - 22:58 [ Jurist.org ]

Israel Supreme Court rules firing of security agency chief ‘unlawful’ amid political firestorm

(May 22, 2025)

Israel’s High Court of Justice ruled Wednesday that the cabinet’s dismissal of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar was “improper” and “unlawful.” The court found the firing lacked valid justification and was based on a “thin and shaky factual foundation.”

Expanding on the court’s reasoning, court president Justice Isaac Amit condemned the government’s failure to consult the Senior Appointments Advisory Committee.

04.05.2025 - 10:46 [ Channel 13 - 13tv.co.il ]

ברק: נתניהו הכריז מלחמה על ישראל; צריך מרי אזרחי

רה“מ לשעבר אמר ל“מוריה וברקו“ כי צריך לעשות עסקה לשחרור החטופים גם במחיר של הפסקת המלחמה“. על נתניהו: „הכריז מלחמה על ישראל; קורא למרי אזרחי“. בליכוד תקפו: „לא נקבל הטפות מוסר ממי שעסוק בלקרוע את החברה הישראלית ונפגש למעלה מ-30 פעמים עם חברו הפדופיל ג׳פרי אפשטיין, גם אחרי שהורשע בשידול קטינה לזנות“

04.05.2025 - 10:44 [ Middle East Eye ]

Ex-Israeli PM Barak urges civil disobedience to topple Netanyahu

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has called for nationwide protests to remove Benjamin Netanyahu, telling Channel 13 the current leader has „declared war on Israel.“

Barak demanded Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara force Netanyahu‘s recusal, referencing a delayed High Court ruling from January that blocked legislation protecting the PM from removal.

29.04.2025 - 09:48 [ CNN ]

Israeli security chief says he’ll step down June 15, facing pressure from Netanyahu

But it’s unclear if Bar’s tenure will last that long. On March 21, the Israeli cabinet unanimously voted to dismiss Bar from his position as the head of the Israel Security Agency, commonly known as the Shin Bet.

Bar’s dismissal was to take effect on April 10, but Israel’s High Court froze the firing, enraging Netanyahu and his right-wing allies, who can still mount an effort to fire Bar before the self-announced retirement date.

24.04.2025 - 23:48 [ AllIsrael.com ]

High Court grants Israeli PM Netanyahu extension to submit affidavit about Shin Bet chief‘s dismissal

Legally, submitting an affidavit is equivalent to providing binding testimony in court and, in exceptional cases, can also open the door to cross-examination.

This past Monday, Ronen Bar submitted a sharply critical affidavit to the High Court against the government and Netanyahu. In it, he claimed that the prime minister made „illegal requests“ at the end of work meetings, after asking that recording devices be turned off.

24.04.2025 - 23:12 [ New Israel Fund ]

Calling for a New Criminal Investigation into Prime Minister Netanyahu

NIF grantee Zulat, an Israeli think tank advancing liberal values recently issued a formal call to Israel’s attorney general, state prosecutor, and police commissioner to open a new criminal investigation into Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for possible obstruction of justice, misuse of the power and breach of trust.

The call comes on the heels of revelations of a new affidavit submitted to the High Court by Shin Bet security service chief Ronen Bar to stave off his dismissal.

23.04.2025 - 10:50 [ Times of Israel ]

‘Out of deep concern for the State of Israel’: Full text of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar’s affidavit

– I authorized, following a request from the IDF Chief of Staff, the opening of an investigation into the theft of classified military documents and their transfer to media outlets.

– I refused to draft a legal opinion whose aim was effectively to prevent the possibility of the Prime Minister continuing to testify in his trial.

– The draft of the internal Shin Bet review was submitted to the Prime Minister. It refers to the service’s failure to prevent the massacre, while also presenting the long-standing policy of the political leadership regarding the Gaza Strip and the exceptional and repeated warnings delivered by the Shin Bet to the political echelon throughout 2023 – which were ignored.

– A letter was attached to the review, addressed to the Prime Minister, explaining how Hamas’s military buildup occurred before the eyes of the State of Israel, funded by Qatar and enabled by a defensive policy, and highlighting the need for a state commission of inquiry to investigate all aspects of the road that led to October 7.

23.04.2025 - 10:47 [ Nachdenkseiten ]

Israels Spionagechef erhebt schwere Vorwürfe gegen Premierminister Netanjahu

Ferner heißt es in der Erklärung, Bar habe es abgelehnt, Maßnahmen zu ergreifen, welche zu Verzögerungen in einem gegen Netanjahu laufenden Korruptionsprozess geführt hätten. Dies sei auch der wahre Grund für seine vom Obersten Gericht gestoppte Entlassung als Geheimdienstchef, ließ Bar verlautbaren. Zudem beschuldigte Bar den Premier, von ihm persönliche Loyalität verlangt zu haben. Es bestand keine Zweifel daran, dass Bar im Falle einer Verfassungskrise Netanjahu und nicht dem Obersten Gerichtshof hätte dienen müssen, heißt es in der Erklärung.

Die Generalstaatsanwaltschaft publizierte das brisante Dokument Bars.

23.04.2025 - 10:18 [ Haaretz ]

Netanyahu Ordered Shin Bet to Spy on Anti-gov‘t Protesters, Intelligence Chief Tells Court

Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar submitted a sworn affidavit Monday to Israel‘s High Court as part of a petition against his expected dismissal by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s government.

23.04.2025 - 10:16 [ Haaretz ]

Coup, Crimes and Conspiracy: Israel‘s Spy Chief‘s Most Shocking Accusations Against Netanyahu

The affidavit that Shin Bet security service chief Ronen Bar submitted to Israel‘s High Court of Justice on Monday to stave off his dismissal is a painful documentation of Israel‘s disasters – past, present and future. The disasters range from the specific and shocking, to the deeply alarming, even dystopian image of the future, depending on what happens next.

08.04.2025 - 18:38 [ Times of Israel ]

At High Court, petitioner acuses Netanyahu of trying to turn Shin Bet into ‘the Stasi’

Head of the Movement for Quality Government in Israel, attorney Eliad Shraga, accuses the prime minister and the government of trying to turn the Shin Bet domestic security agency into “the Stasi,” the feared secret police force in Communist East Germany.

Addressing the High Court of Justice in the hearing over the government’s firing of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, Shraga also alleges that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeks to install a new head of the service who would be specifically loyal to him.

08.04.2025 - 06:35 [ Times of Israel ]

High Court hearing on firing Shin Bet chief to be broadcast live

The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. and will be broadcast on the Supreme Court’s website and the Judicial Authority’s YouTube channel.

Four opposition parties and four government watchdog groups filed petitions against Bar’s dismissal, arguing that since the Shin Bet is one of the agencies investigating the Qatargate affair involving alleged wrongdoing by Netanyahu’s aides, the decision to fire Bar was tainted by a conflict of interest and by ulterior, political motives.

06.04.2025 - 19:01 [ Jerusalem Post ]

Netanyahu to High Court: ‚Intervention in Ronen Bar‘s dismissal would harm state security‘

The High Court of Justice‘s intervention in the dismissal of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar would harm the security of the state, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu argued on Sunday in his response to a High Court petition to cancel the dismissal. The response came two days prior to a consequential court hearing on Tuesday on the legality of Bar’s removal.

04.04.2025 - 18:21 [ Times of Israel ]

Police accuse judge who released Qatargate suspects to house arrest of acting on personal interests

The police say they feel as though the judge is “‘giving his regards’ to the Judicial Selection Committee in order to pave the way for him to be appointed as a district judge.”

They further accuse him of forcing police investigators to discuss “sensitive documents” in hearings and say he writes his case decisions as though he is writing “press releases.”

“He writes classified things and then deletes them from the minutes after the media has already published them,” police charge.

04.04.2025 - 18:14 [ Times of Israel ]

Urich and Feldstein to be released to house arrest after judge rejects request to extend remand; police lodge appeal

Judge Menachem Mizrahi also levels criticism at the police investigators, saying that he suspects they didn’t focus solely on Urich and Feldstein’s alleged ties to Qatar during the last few days of interrogations, but also used the opportunity to probe the two prime ministerial aides about the classified documents leak from the Prime Minister’s Office, in which Feldstein is also a central suspect.

04.04.2025 - 15:09 [ New York Times ]

What Is ‘Qatargate,’ the Latest Furor Embroiling Israel?

Known as “Qatargate,” the case hinges on the claim that Mr. Netanyahu’s media advisers were paid by a representative of Qatar to promote Qatari interests in the Israeli news media. That claim has angered many Israelis because it created the perception of a conflict of interest; for years, Qatar has hosted leaders of Hamas.

Mr. Netanyahu’s recent efforts to fire the head of the Shin Bet, the Israeli internal security agency, has compounded the furor. It was the Shin Bet that first instigated the investigations into Mr. Netanyahu’s aides.

01.04.2025 - 12:50 [ Jerusalem Post ]

Netanyahu trial ends abruptly, overshadowed by Qatargate scandal

(March 31, 2025)

The 20th session of the testimony of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his criminal corruption trial ended unexpectedly early on Wednesday, as suspicions swirled around the involvement of figures close to Netanyahu with Qatar.

01.04.2025 - 12:43 [ i24News.com ]

Eli Feldstein, Yonatan Urich arrested in ‚Qatar-Gate‘ affair

(March 31, 2025)

The Israel Police on Monday announced that it had arrested two employees of the Prime Minister‘s Office as part of the „Qatar-gate“ investigation.

The two have been identified as Eli Feldstein and Yonatan Urich, with the arrest coming on the 20th day of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s testimony in his corruption case at the District Court in Tel Aviv.

01.04.2025 - 12:33 [ Washington Post ]

Top Netanyahu aides arrested as investigation into payments from Qatar escalates

(Updated March 31, 2025 at 3:34 p.m. EDT)

Jonatan Urich and and Eli Feldstein were arrested amid increasing allegations that Netanyahu’s inner circle was involved in the transfer of money from Qatar, a key backer of Hamas.

01.04.2025 - 11:59 [ חדשות בזמן בטלגרם - קבוצת החדשות הגדולה בישראל / Telegram ]

משטרה פוליטית לא רלוונטית לאזרחים ח״כ נעמה לזימי מפונה בכוח על ידי שוטרים אלימים בהפגנה

01.04.2025 - 11:52 [ 10 News First / Youtiube ]

Israeli Protesters Violently Clash With Police Over Gaza, Netanyahu | 10 News First

Israeli protesters have clashed with police in Jerusalem, demanding the return of hostages from Gaza and the removal of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The demonstration was one of many across Israel, as public anger grows over the resumed bombing of Gaza and increasing discontent with Netanyahu’s government.

01.04.2025 - 11:46 [ Associated Press / Youtube ]

LIVE: Protest against Netanyahu in Jerusalem over security shakeup

Streamed live 17 hours ago #netanyahu #israel #live
Watch live as protesters rally against Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu following his nomination of a new domestic security chief, Vice Adm. Eli Sharvit, after he moved to fire Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar over a crisis of confidence that critics say is politically motivated.

01.04.2025 - 11:34 [ Communist Party of Israel ]

Thousands of Protesters Block All Entrances to the Knesset

Several thousands of protesters against the far-right government and in support for the immediate release of the hostages blocked Monday, March 31, all entrances to the Knesset in Jerusalem, as part of the 14th consecutive day of mass protests.

30.03.2025 - 15:55 [ Communist Party of Israel ]

Tens of Thousands of People Demonstrated Across Israel for Another Consecutive Week

For another consecutive week, tens of thousands of people demonstrated across Israel Saturday evening (March 29) for the release of remaining hostages held in Gaza and against the war in Gaza and the far-right government.

A rally against the government led by a coalition of protest groups was held at 6:30 p.m. at Tel Aviv’s Habima Square. After the demonstration, protesters marched to Begin Road to join hostages’ families demonstrating there at 8 p.m. Separately, a rally at Hostages Square at 8 p.m. organized by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum

29.03.2025 - 18:47 [ LIVE CGTN Europe / Youtube ]

LIVE: Israeli anti-government activists and relatives of hostages protest in Tel Aviv

(video)

29.03.2025 - 17:28 [ DD Cyprus1Click / Youtube ]

Israeli anti-government activists and relatives of hostages protest in Tel Aviv

Anti-government protesters march from Habima Square to Begin Gate where they will join relatives of hostages to call on the government to cease fire in Gaza and secure the release of all hostages in Hamas captivity.

29.03.2025 - 17:17 [ Times of Israel ]

Anti-government protesters begin rallying in Tel Aviv, other locations nationwide

Anti-government protesters gather at Habima Square in Tel Aviv and in cities and junctions across the country for weekly demonstrations.

29.03.2025 - 15:30 [ Communist of Israel ]

Knesset Passes Law Boosting Far-Right Control Over Appointment of Judges

Throughout the evening, lawmakers quashed an unprecedented 71,023 objections filed by the opposition before finally voting 67-1 in favor of the legislation in the third and final reading, passing it into law.

In a fascist speech, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushed back against his critics, insisting that the real danger, he claimed, is an unelected “deep state” working against the elected government.

29.03.2025 - 15:26 [ Jerusalem Post ]

Knesset approves dramatic judicial selection committee bill

(March 26, 2025)

The Judicial Selection Committee’s makeup since 1953 has included nine members – three High Court judges, two ministers, two members of Knesset (traditionally one coalition and one opposition), and two representatives of the Israel Bar Association (IBA). According to the new proposal, which will apply beginning with the next Knesset, the two IBA members will be replaced by two “public representatives”, one appointed by the coalition and the other by the opposition.

29.03.2025 - 15:00 [ Times of Israel ]

Tens of thousands expected to rally Saturday night against judicial overhaul, in favor of hostage deal

Tens of thousands are expected to rally across the country this evening for the release of the hostages, as well as against the renewal of the judicial overhaul and moves to fire key government gatekeepers by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition.

The main protest by the coalition of protest groups will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Tel Aviv’s Habima Square.

At the conclusion of the demonstration, protesters will march to Begin Street to join the group of hostage families who rally there.

24.03.2025 - 16:25 [ Communist Party of Israel ]

Police Clash with Protesters in Jerusalem, 100,00 Protest Across Israel

On Sunday afternoon, thousands of protesters streamed toward Jerusalem’s Azza Road from the direction of the Knesset, many of them carrying tents they planned to set up as part of an overnight protest encampment near Netanyahu’s residence on the busy street. Holding flags and bullhorns, demonstrators blew horns, chanted slogans and held pictures of hostages they called to put and end the war in Gaza.

Earlier, Efraim Davidi, a leading member of the Communist Party of Israel and former member of the Histadrut leadership told the crowd at Azza Street, “All economy, factories, ministries and municipalities, schools and universities must go on general strike until the fall of the far-right and racist government”. “A government that refuses to stop the bloodshed in the deadly war in Gaza, to obey the law and the return of the hostages is dangerous and must be stopped now.” Speaking in front of thousands of protesters in Jerusalem, Davidi urged the country to mobilize “right now against the government’s actions.”

24.03.2025 - 13:24 [ Times of Israel ]

High Court sets April 8 date to hear petitions against Shin Bet chief’s dismissal

The petitions will be heard by a panel consisting of Supreme Court President Isaac Amit, incoming Deputy Supreme Court President Noam Sohlberg and Justice Daphne Barak-Erez.

The three are the most senior justices on the bench. Both Amit and Barak-Erez are liberals, while Sohlberg is a staunch conservative.

24.03.2025 - 12:32 [ New York Times ]

With No-Confidence Vote, Israeli Cabinet Moves to Fire Attorney General

Mr. Netanyahu and his allies have accused the attorney general, Gali Baharav-Miara, of undermining them. The no-confidence vote against her, as well as the cabinet’s approval days before of the firing of Israel’s domestic intelligence chief, has rekindled street protests reminiscent of the upheaval over government plans to overhaul the judiciary before the war with Hamas began in 2023.

23.03.2025 - 14:34 [ VOL.at ]

Zehntausende Israelis protestieren gegen Regierung

Zehntausende Menschen haben am Samstag in Tel Aviv und anderen Orten in Israel gegen die Regierung von Ministerpräsident Benjamin Netanyahu protestiert. Sie erinnerten an die im Gazastreifen festgehaltenen Geiseln und warfen Netanyahus Regierung vor, mit dem Wiederaufflammen der Kämpfe in dem Küstenstreifen die Geiseln massiv zu gefährden. Die Wut der Demonstranten entlud sich auch über die von der Regierung beschlossene Entlassung des Inlandsgeheimdienstchefs Ronen Bar.

23.03.2025 - 14:29 [ tamrys.bsky.social / Bluesky ]

“If Oct 7 gov‘t doesn‘t comply with Supreme Court ruling, it‘ll become a criminal gov‘t. We won‘t be extras in Bibi‘s theatre of madness.In such a case, the economy must go on strike, we‘ll organize a tax revolt- oppose all forms of refusal-we‘ll not be collaborators in the destruction of democracy”

23.03.2025 - 14:07 [ Orion412 / Bluesky ]

Israelis protest against Bibi in Tel Aviv.

The government of Bibi is not the same as people of Israel.

23.03.2025 - 14:05 [ Reuters ]

Israel anti-government protests flare after dismissal of top security agency chief

Thousands of Israelis demonstrated in Tel Aviv on Saturday against the decision by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s government to dismiss the head of the Shin Bet domestic intelligence service and resume fighting in Gaza.
Netanyahu said this week he had lost confidence in Ronen Bar, who has led Shin Bet since 2021, and intended to fire him effective April 10, prompting three days of protests.