If the court rules in favor of the petitioners and says the government cannot fire Bar, but the government insists it can and moves ahead anyway—that’s a constitutional crisis.
"The responsibility for Israel's security lies with the government, and therefore, the authority [to fire Bar] rests with it," Smotrich said.
The prime minister maintained that his decision to remove Bar was not related to "Qatargate" and did not align with his timeline.
According to Bar, pressure was also exerted on him to carry out actions he defines as "against the citizens of the state."
The poll also surveyed Israelis views towards the attempted dismissals of the Shin Bet chief and attorney-general, as well as if there is an Israeli "deep state."
Netanyahu previously appointed former navy commander Eli Sharvit, only to rescind the appointment 24 hours later.
According to the prime minister and the government, the authority to dismiss the head of the Shin Bet lay solely with the government, according to the law.
Liberman argued that Netanyahu ignoring a High Court ruling would cross a red line and would effectively make Israel a dictatorship.
Israel needs reform to balance legal oversight with democratic accountability, not politically driven purges. Now is the time for responsibility, not another showdown between branches of government.
Several former supreme court judges, including Aharon Barak, have signed a petition calling on the government to stop the firing of Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara and Shin Bet head Ronen Bar.
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