Israeli opposition leader demands Netanyahu’s resignation over Shin Bet chief dismissal

"If losing confidence is a reason for dismissal, then the first to be dismissed should be Netanyahu. The State of Israel has lost confidence in him," Lapid told the public broadcaster KAN.

On Sunday, Netanyahu said he plans to dismiss the head of the Shin Bet internal security agency, Ronen Bar, citing "a lack of trust."

Tensions between Netanyahu and the Shin Bet have escalated following the agency’s internal investigation into the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel by the Palestinian group Hamas. Netanyahu dismissed the report’s findings, saying they failed to answer key questions.

Lapid said the real reason behind the dismissal was the Shin Bet's investigation into employees from Netanyahu's office on various charges.

"As soon as the Shin Bet began investigating his office, Netanyahu decided to dismiss Ronen Bar in a rushed, reckless, and clearly contradictory move,” he said.

The Israeli government is set to review the premier’s move to dismiss the Shin Bet chief on Wednesday.

According to Israeli Channel 12, the government’s legal adviser, Gali Baharav-Miara, requested a meeting with Netanyahu to discuss the dismissal, which could spark new political unrest and protests within the security and political circles.

Since forming his right-wing government in December 2022, Netanyahu has faced sharp criticism over judicial reforms. Domestically, he shrugs off opposition demands for early elections.

In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, where more than 48,500 people have been killed in a brutal onslaught since October 2023.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.