Tel Aviv: Israel's opposition has launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, labeling him a "danger to national security" and demanding his immediate resignation. This call to action follows a letter from Ronen Bar, the chief of Israel's internal security service Shin Bet, to the Supreme Court, which addressed Netanyahu's attempted dismissal of Bar.
According to Anadolu Agency, the opposition's criticism surfaced after a meeting led by Yair Lapid, leader of the Yesh Atid party, alongside Benny Gantz of the State Camp party, Avigdor Lieberman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, and Yair Golan of the Democrats party. The opposition leaders issued a statement condemning Netanyahu's actions, as described in Bar's letter, asserting that they "jeopardize our future and existence and harm state security."
In a video released earlier, Lapid emphasized that Bar's letter "proves Netanyahu endangers Israel's security and cannot remain prime minister." He accused Netanyahu of attempting to leverage the Shin Bet to monitor Israeli citizens and dismantle democratic structures, further asserting that appointing a new Shin Bet chief under Netanyahu would pose a "real threat" to the nation.
Yair Golan, a former deputy chief of staff of the army, echoed these sentiments, calling Netanyahu a "direct threat to Israel's security and rule of law" and demanding his resignation. Golan described Bar's affidavit as a "serious indictment and an emergency alarm for Israeli democracy," accusing Netanyahu of seeking "personal loyalty from the head of the Shin Bet instead of loyalty to the state" and urging actions against civilians and political opponents.
The controversy intensified after Bar submitted an eight-page letter condemning Netanyahu to the Supreme Court. Bar disclosed that Netanyahu had instructed him to prioritize the prime minister's directives over the Supreme Court's during a constitutional crisis and to deploy the Shin Bet against anti-government protesters, which Bar deemed "illegal." Netanyahu also allegedly sought information on protester identities and their financial supporters.
In response, Netanyahu's office dismissed Bar's letter as "full of lies," describing it as evidence of Bar's "utter failure" during the recent attacks on Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Nonetheless, the Supreme Court issued an injunction preventing Bar's dismissal, pending a review of petitions from the opposition.
The Israeli government initially approved Bar's dismissal on March 20, citing a "lack of trust" due to the aftermath of the Hamas attack. However, Bar suggested political motives behind the decision, linked to his refusal to comply with Netanyahu's demands for "personal loyalty."
Amid these political tensions, the Israeli army resumed its offensive on the Gaza Strip on March 18, following a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement established in January. Since October 2023, over 51,200 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed in the enclave.
Furthermore, Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant face arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, while Israel is also subject to a genocide case at the International Court of Justice.