The High Court of Justice rejected the request submitted by the government to cancel the interim order that prevents the dismissal of Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) chief Ronen Bar, Israeli media reported on Thursday.
The order, which was issued a week ago at the end of the hearing on the petitions in the High Court, stated that the government can continue to interview other candidates for the position but is prohibited from firing Bar.
The government’s position was submitted as an appendix to the position presented by attorney Yehuda Puah, who represents Boaz Miran, the brother of kidnapped soldier Omri Miran, who is held in Gaza and a member of the Tikva Forum.
The government’s position states, "A period of immunity for the head of the service, during which the clear directive of the legislator, which subjects him to the government’s will, is suspended, severely harms the realization of the goals of the Shin Bet."
Continued tensions between the government and Shin Bet
The government and Shin Bet have been at odds since Netanyahu's announcement of his intention to dismiss Bar, and this week, no Shin Bet official was invited to Netanyahu's visit to the Gaza Strip.
According to Israeli media reports, it is customary for a representative of the agency that oversees the area to take part in such visits.
The Prime Minister's Office was cited as saying in response, "This is a military visit, not a Shin Bet visit."
On Tuesday, two sources told The Jerusalem Post that the scheduled security briefing for Tuesday was canceled after Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich told Netanyahu he would not participate in security meetings where Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar was to take part.
Bini Ashkenazi contributed to this report.