Netanyahu Faces Humiliation: Appointment of New Security Chief Deemed Illegal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is barred from appointing a new head of the Shin Bet, Israel's security agency, as the appointment has been ruled unlawful. The previous head was dismissed unlawfully, creating what correspondent Ralph Dekkers calls 'a major legal and political mess in Israel.'

The situation escalated when Netanyahu dismissed former intelligence chief Ronen Bar months ago. Last week, Israel's Supreme Court ruled the dismissal unlawful due to alleged conflicts of interest, as Bar had initiated an investigation into officials accused of accepting funds from Qatar.

Netanyahu had already selected a controversial, highly religious army major-general as Bar's replacement, but this appointment is now blocked. Bar, despite the unlawful dismissal, will step down on June 15, feeling partially responsible for the October 7 massacre.