The Supreme Court on Tuesday evening issued an interim order freezing Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar’s dismissal after 11 hours of deliberations over an issue it has no authority over. Israeli law clearly authorizes the government to dismiss the Shin Bet chief. Meanwhile, the court granted the government an extension until April 20 for the government and Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara to reach an “acceptable and creative solution” – and if one is not found, the Supreme Court will issue a ruling. The court also ordered the government not to announce a replacement for Bar or interview candidates for the position until a compromise is reached or a ruling is issued. The Prime Minister’s Office responded to the ruling by stating: “The panel of judges repeatedly stated in the hearing that there is no dispute over the government’s authority to remove the head of the Shin Bet from his position. Therefore, the Supreme Court’s decision to postpone the end date of the Shin Bet head’s term by ten days is puzzling.” “The Attorney General’s goal is to prevent Ronen Bar’s dismissal in any way possible for a long time, under the pretext that there is an active investigation [Qatargate]. It is inconceivable that the government of Israel would be prevented from removing a failing Shin Bet head from his position simply because of the opening of an investigation that is not related to any of the government ministers. On the contrary – such a result would allow any failing Shin Bet head who wants to remain in office to open an investigation against anyone connected to the office of any of the ministers, thereby preventing his dismissal.” The office noted: “The Prime Minister will continue to interview candidates for the position of head of the Shin Bet.” Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi responded to the ruling by stating: “No! The government must obey the law! Duty of allegiance to the State of Israel and its laws (!) not to an unconstitutional and unauthorized order.” “The ‘creative solution’ is very simple: Ronen Bar will end his term on April 10.” “This is our duty: to protect democracy and the security of the state. These are the checks and balances sometimes required to balance the judicial authority. If not in such a case of harming the security of the state, where is the red line? Right of return for Palestinians? Abolishing the Jewish state and turning it into a state of all its citizens? What is democratic about the absolute rule of Yitzhak Amit???” Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich responded by calling on the government to boycott Bar. “The Supreme Court allows itself to harm the security of the state, and we have the responsibility to prevent this. I call on the Prime Minister not to summon Bar to discussions and not to work with him, not to enter into any negotiations with the Attorney General to find an ‘acceptable compromise.’ “We have a responsibility for the continued functioning of Israel’s security, and the arrogance of the judges must not tie our hands in a time of war.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)