Israeli Supreme Court suspends firing of intelligence chief

The Supreme Court in Israel has suspended the government's decision to dismiss the head of Shin Bet, the country's domestic intelligence service.

A judge issued a temporary injunction on Friday, which, according to the court, will remain in place until a hearing on the matter has been held. This is to take place by April 8 at the latest.

Several groups, including opposition politicians, had filed petitions with the court against the government's decision.

Israel's government had approved the highly controversial dismissal of the head of the domestic intelligence service during the night, despite mass protests.

The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had announced that Ronen Bar would step down on April 8 unless a successor is appointed before then.

Netanyahu has not fared well in a Shin Bet investigation into mistakes ahead of the massacre by Palestinian Islamist Hamas in Israel on October 7, 2023.

In addition, the service is investigating alleged illegal ties between Netanyahu's associates and Qatar. That country is one of the negotiators in indirect talks with Hamas, but is also considered a supporter of the terrorist organization.