Thousands Protest in Tel Aviv Against Netanyahu’s Controversial Dismissal of Shin Bet Chief
Thousands gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday to protest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to dismiss Ronen Bar, the head of the Shin Bet domestic intelligence service, signaling a return to active military operations in Gaza. Netanyahu announced he had lost confidence in Bar, effective April 10, leading to three days of protests marked by rallies in Habima Square, where demonstrators called for the release of Israeli captives held in Gaza.
Amid the unrest, Netanyahu asserted that Israel would remain a democracy despite Bar’s ousting. Critics, including Bar and opposition leader Yair Lapid, have called the dismissal part of a troubling trend toward autocracy, accusing Netanyahu of undermining democratic institutions. On Friday, Israel’s Supreme Court temporarily froze the dismissal, with Lapid demanding a general strike if the government ignores the ruling.
Protesters voiced their frustration, holding signs like “No more bloodshed” and “Stop the war, now!” They fear the renewed military actions could jeopardize the lives of the 59 Israeli captives believed to still be alive. Calls to action included demands for the government to prioritize the captives’ safety amidst ongoing raids in Gaza, which resumed after a fragile ceasefire.
Criticism of Netanyahu intensified as his administration initiated impeachment proceedings against Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, another figure opposing his policies. As tensions rise, both protests and political maneuvering within the government loom over the ongoing conflict and its humanitarian implications, including concerns over the fates of those captured during recent hostilities.
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Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
