**Israel’s Deepening Rifts Exposed in Stand-off between PM and Spy Chief**
A growing rift within Israeli politics has been laid bare by a heated stand-off between the country’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and the head of its domestic intelligence agency, Ronen Bar. The row has seen both men trade accusations, further fueling concerns about the country’s stability.
At the heart of the dispute is Netanyahu’s decision to fire Bar as head of the Shin Bet, Israel’s equivalent of a spy agency. However, the attorney general and opposition parties have appealed against this move to the Supreme Court, effectively freezing it for now. In sworn depositions, both men have made serious allegations against each other.
Netanyahu has accused Bar of lying in his own affidavit, while Bar has responded by accusing Netanyahu of demanding personal loyalty and ordering the Shin Bet to spy on anti-government protesters. This confrontation has brought into focus the deepening rifts between Israel’s right-wing hardliners, who support Netanyahu, and more liberal elements within society.
The controversy centers around Netanyahu’s insistence that he fired Bar for professional failures. However, many in Israel believe that this move was motivated by something more sinister – a desire to silence someone who had threatened his power. The fact that the attorney general and opposition parties have intervened suggests that they too are concerned about the implications of such actions.
This dispute has echoes of a broader struggle within Israeli society. For months before the Gaza war, protests were held against government moves to curb the powers of the judiciary. This unrest highlights the deep divisions within Israel between those who support Netanyahu’s hardline stance and those who advocate for more liberal policies.
As the Supreme Court weighs in on this dispute, it is clear that Israel’s future stability hangs in the balance. The outcome will have significant implications not just for Bar and Netanyahu but also for the country as a whole.
Read More @ www.bbc.com
