Israel attorney general: Netanyahu cannot fire the intelligence chief

Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that “it is not possible to initiate a dismissal process” of the head of the Israeli internal intelligence service, according to the Times of Israel.

Netanyahu yesterday announced that he would seek to dismiss the director of the Shin Bet, Ronen Bar, through a cabinet vote.

In response, the attorney general wrote in a letter quoted by the Times of Israel that Netanyahu could not take such a step “until the factual and legal basis underlying your decision is fully examined, as well as your authority to address the matter at this time.”

“This is due to the extraordinary sensitivity of the issue, its unprecedented nature, the concern that the process may be tainted by illegality and conflict of interest, and considering that the role of the head of the Shin Bet is not a personal trust position serving the prime minister.”

READ: Conflict escalates between Netanyahu, Shin Bet chief due to 7 October defeat