Court Blocks Netanyahu's Firing of Shin Bet Chief

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has approved the controversial dismissal of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, citing a lack of trust amid allegations of bribery involving Netanyahu's aides and Qatar. However, Israel's Supreme Court has temporarily blocked the decision, pending appeals, highlighting a legal and political standoff. The dismissal has sparked mass protests, with over 100,000 demonstrators in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, who view it as an attack on democracy and an attempt to undermine state institutions. The protests have been further fueled by Israel's resumption of airstrikes in Gaza following the breakdown of a ceasefire with Hamas. Bar, who has led Shin Bet since 2021, has accused the government of improper motives and conflicts of interest, particularly in the context of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. This situation underscores growing tensions between Netanyahu's administration and key Israeli institutions, amidst broader societal divisions.