Israel prepares for huge protest against dismissal of spy chief

Israeli organisations are planning to protest in Jerusalem next Wednesday against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to dismiss Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar.

“In light of this escalation,” Israeli channel Makan reports, “those close to Netanyahu are considering bringing forward the date of the cabinet meeting scheduled to discuss the dismissal of the Shin Bet chief.”

According to the channel, for the first time since 7 October, 2023, “around 100 leaders of the protest movement in Israel have met and decided to launch an unprecedented demonstration in Jerusalem to express their rejection of Bar’s dismissal. “The protesters will stage a sit-in at the government building until the end of the session.”

Makan added that the demonstrators will then march to the prime minister’s residence in Jerusalem, where they will hold an open-ended sit-in.

“We cannot allow the coalition to fulfil its vision and completely destroy Israel,” said Eran Schwartz, CEO of the Hofshi B’Artzenu (Free in Our Land) protest group. “The protest is the people’s way of expressing their opposition to the regime. The majority of the people understand that what is at stake is the future of the coalition or the future of the state, and many want to come and demand the future of the state.”

Schwartz pointed out that the dismissal of the head of the Shin Bet while he is investigating the prime minister’s associates is not only illegitimate but also illegal, according to the attorney general’s directive. “Therefore, we will join with all protest organisations and tens of thousands of citizens to protest against the dismissal of the Shin Bet head, against the [Haredi] draft-dodging law, and against the continuation of the regime coup.”

Channel 12 reported on Monday that “settlers demonstrated against Netanyahu in front of the Tel Aviv District Court and demanded that he declare himself ‘unfit to perform his duties’.”

These protests come at a time of heightened political and security tensions in Israel, amid sharp divisions within the government.

On Sunday, Israeli media reported that Netanyahu decided to dismiss the head of the internal intelligence agency due to what he described as a “continued lack of trust”, a move that threatens to plunge Israel into a major crisis.

The cabinet meeting on Wednesday will be crucial, with ministers expected to vote on the decision, which could cause a political and security earthquake in Israel.

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