Israeli demonstrators took to the streets for the sixth consecutive day on Sunday, amid reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet is preparing a no-confidence motion against the attorney general as part of its ongoing efforts against officials perceived as adversarial to the government.
Over the past week, tens of thousands of Israelis have participated in protests in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, driven by concerns for Israeli hostages following the resumption of airstrikes in Gaza, as well as frustration over the decision to dismiss the head of the domestic intelligence agency, which has united various protest factions.
The cabinet’s approval last week to remove Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar is expected to be followed by a no-confidence motion against attorney general Gali Baharav-Miara, who has had frequent disagreements with the current administration.
Israeli media indicated last week that the cabinet would vote on the no-confidence motion against Baharav-Miara, a former district attorney appointed under the previous prime minister, Naftali Bennett, although any potential dismissal may take months to materialize.
These actions against the two officials have led to accusations from protesters and opposition members that Netanyahu’s right-wing government is undermining essential state institutions.
Simultaneously, families and supporters of the 59 hostages still held in Gaza have expressed their frustration, viewing the government’s actions as a betrayal of their loved ones.
“We are here to assert that Israel is a democracy and will continue to be one,” stated 46-year-old Uri Ash, a participant in the Tel Aviv protest. “We will replace this government because it is damaging Israel,” he added.
Despite differing priorities among the protest groups, they have built upon the mass demonstrations that occurred prior to the Gaza conflict, which were sparked by the right-wing government’s attempts to limit the power of the Supreme Court.
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Netanyahu argued that the judicial overhaul was necessary to curb judicial overreach that was infringing on parliamentary authority, while protesters contended that it was an effort to weaken a fundamental aspect of Israeli democracy.
ACCUSATIONS
Earlier this month, Justice Minister Yair Levin took steps to remove Baharav-Miara from her position, alleging that she has politicized her role and hindered the government’s efforts.
In reality, any attempt to oust the attorney general is expected to encounter administrative challenges and an appeals process that could prolong the situation for several months. However, the reports—unconfirmed by the prime minister’s office—have intensified the protests, mirroring the accusations surrounding Bar’s removal.
The Cabinet approved Bar’s dismissal despite Baharav-Miara’s objections, but the action is currently stalled due to a temporary injunction from the Supreme Court.
Late Saturday, Netanyahu released a video statement defending Bar’s dismissal and denying claims that the action was intended to obstruct a Shin Bet investigation into alleged financial connections between Qatar and his office’s aides.
He asserted that the Shin Bet investigation was initiated to address Bar’s anticipated resignation due to intelligence failures that permitted the catastrophic attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Netanyahu has dismissed the allegations related to the so-called “Qatargate” scandal as politically motivated attempts to weaken his government, while Qatar has characterized it as a “smear campaign.”
