<p>The Israeli cabinet on Friday voted to dismiss Ronen Bar from his post as head of the Shin Bet internal security service effective April 10, despite protests against the move.</p> <p>Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had lost his confidence in Bar and thus intended to dismiss him. Bar, who has been the Shin Bet chief since 2021, did not attend the cabinet meeting, but sent a letter to the ministers saying the process around his firing did not follow the rules and that his decision was based on "baseless claims", CNN reported. </p> <p>The vote took place in the early hours of Friday, local time, and could still face appeals by Israel's Supreme Court. "The government has now unanimously approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposal to terminate the term of Shin Bet head Ronen Bar," Netanyahu's office said in a statement. </p> <p>"Ronen Bar will end his role as Shin Bet head on April 10, 2025, or when a permanent Shin Bet head is appointed – whichever comes first," it added.</p> <p>The move follows a meeting last week between Netanyahu and Bar, during which the prime minister informed him of his intention to seek his removal.</p> <p>In a video statement released on Sunday, Netanyahu said he had "ongoing distrust" in Bar led to his decision, and added that "at all times, but especially in such an existential war, the prime minister must have full confidence in the head of the Shin Bet." </p> <p>Netanyahu also argued that Bar's dismissal is necessary to achieving Israel’s war objectives in Gaza and "preventing the next disaster." He has frequently criticised Shin Bet, blaming the agency for security failures that led to the October 7 Hamas attacks in 2023, which killed over 1,200 people, the report said. </p> <p>Late on Thursday, police used water cannon and made multiple arrests as clashes erupted during protests in Tel Aviv and near the prime minister’s residence in Jerusalem, where officers said dozens of demonstrators attempted to breach security cordons, Reuters reported.</p> <p>Over the past three days, demonstrators opposing Bar’s dismissal have joined forces with protesters angered by the decision to resume fighting in Gaza, which ended a two-month ceasefire while 59 Israeli hostages remain in the Palestinian enclave.</p> <p><strong>ALSO READ: <a href="https://ift.tt/RCkhPoi Signs Order To Dismantle US Department Of Education 'As Quickly As Possible'</a></strong></p> <h3>Bar Calls His Dismissal 'Hastily Convened' Decision</h3> <p>The decision comes after months of tension between Bar and Netanyahu over a corruption investigation into allegations that several aides in the prime minister’s office were offered bribes by individuals linked to Qatar.</p> <p>Shin Bet has reportedly opened an inquiry into allegations that members of Netanyahu’s office lobbied on behalf of Qatar, claims Netanyahu’s office has denied.</p> <p>Shortly before his dismissal, Bar issued a statement condemning the cabinet’s vote, calling it “hastily convened, contrary to every basic legal rule dealing with the right to be heard and contrary to the position of the legal adviser to the government.” </p> <p>“The dismissal of the head of the service at this time, at the initiative of the prime minister, sends a message to all those involved, a message that may jeopardise the optimal outcome of the investigation. This is a direct danger to the security of the state of Israel,” Bar said in his statement on Thursday, as reported by CNN.</p> <p>Netanyahu had previously removed both Bar and Mossad chief David Barnea from the negotiating team for conducting indirect talks with Hamas over a Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal. </p> <p>Opposition politicians have criticised Netanyahu’s decision to remove Bar, arguing that it is politically motivated. </p> <h3>At Least 91 Palestinians Killed In Gaza As Israel Orders Evacuation</h3> <p>At least 91 Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded in airstrikes across Gaza on Thursday as Israel resumed bombing and ground operations, the enclave’s health ministry said, effectively ending a two-month ceasefire, Reuters reported. </p> <p>After weeks of relative calm, Gazans once again fled for their lives as Israel launched a renewed air and ground offensive against Hamas, the dominant Palestinian militant group in the territory.</p> <p><strong>ALSO READ| <a href="https://ift.tt/QoalhAr Gandhi To Akhilesh Yadav: Politicians Across Party Line Attend IUML-Hosted Iftar Party In Delhi</a></strong></p>
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