Israeli domestic rifts come into the open

The Supreme Court of Israel has yet to decide on the tenure of Ronen Bar, chief of the internal security agency Shin Bet dismissed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. But the leaders of the Knesset's Jewish opposition parties are already accusing the prime minister of "placing Israel in danger".

The latest twist came after Bar filed an affidavit with the Supreme Court on Monday alleging that he had been sacked because of his refusal to meet the expectations of loyalty to Netanyahu over the constitution, The Times of Israel reported.

In March, the Israeli government unanimously approved a motion to dismiss Bar from Shin Bet, citing a "lack of trust" and required Bar to vacate his post by April 10. But in a ruling on April 8, the Supreme Court gave the Israeli cabinet and attorney general's office a deadline after the Jewish Passover holiday, which ended on Sunday, to find an alternative solution. The court also said the Shin Bet chief would continue to perform his duties for now.

In his formal statement to the court, Bar said he had been fired because of his refusal to meet Netanyahu's expectations of loyalty, the decisions his agency made regarding investigations into the prime minister's aides and Bar's refusal to help Netanyahu avoid testifying in a criminal trial.

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid, Israeli National Unity chairman Benny Gantz, Yisrael Beytenu chief Avigdor Lieberman, and The Democrats head Yair Golan said in a statement that Netanyahu's conduct, as described by Bar, had put Israel's future and existence in danger and harmed the nation's security, Israeli media reported.

In a post on X, Netanyahu said Bar's affidavit "is full of lies and reveals his failures". Netanyahu is also facing three separate cases of corruption that include allegations of fraud, bribery and breach of trust. However, he has denied any wrongdoing.

Bar also rejected accusations leveled by Netanyahu and others that he and Shin Bet had advance knowledge of Hamas' surprise attack inside Israel on Oct 7, 2023, and that he failed to warn the prime minister.

In recent months, the Netanyahu government has been confronted with increasing domestic challenges, including calls to reach a deal to end fighting in Gaza and for the return of Israeli hostages still being held by Hamas.

Gokhan Batu, an analyst on Israel studies at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies in Turkiye, told China Daily that the politicization of Israel's judicial and security bureaucracy "is hardly a new debate". He said the attempt to dismiss Shin Bet head Bar can be viewed as part of a much larger and more deliberate strategy.

Meanwhile, a Hamas delegation departed for Cairo to discuss "new ideas" aimed at securing a ceasefire in Gaza, an official from the group said, as Israeli airstrikes killed 26 people across the territory on Tuesday. The renewed effort follows Hamas' rejection last week of Israel's latest proposal to secure the release of hostages still held in Gaza.