Anger mounts as Netanyahu intends to fire Shin Bet chief, raising anxiety over hostages and democracy

Record ID: 1984102

  • Title: Anger mounts as Netanyahu intends to fire Shin Bet chief, raising anxiety over hostages and democracy
  • Date: 17th March 2025
  • Summary: TEL AVIV, ISRAEL (MARCH 16, 2025) (REUTERS) ***WARNING: CONTAINS PROFANITY*** PROTESTER CHANTING (Hebrew): 'The time has come to overthrow the dictator' / PROTESTERS AGAINST ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU BLOCKING TRAFFIC AT JUNCTION, SHOUTING 'Democracy' POLICE REMOVING PROTESTER IN FRONT OF BUSES PROTESTER SHOUTING IN LOUDSPEAKER (Hebrew): 'Netanyahu don't for
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: gaza hostages netanyahu qatar ronen bar shin bet
  • Location: TEL AVIV, ISRAEL
  • City: TEL AVIV, ISRAEL
  • Country: Israel
  • Topics: Defence,Middle East,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA001935517032025RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Editors note: Shot 6 includes profanity text
    Scores of protesters calling for the resignation of Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took to the streets of Tel Aviv on Sunday (March 16) after his announcement that he intends to fire the head of the Shin Bet domestic intelligence service.
    The move also sparked anxiety among supporters of hostages and their families who fight for the release of their loved ones from Gaza.
    Some have set up tents in recent weeks outside Israel's military headquarters in Tel Aviv, in an encampment they say will be removed only when the last of the 59 hostages is returned to Israel.
    Supporters on Monday (March 17) said they would now also fight for Israel's democracy, as they see a threat to the fate of the hostages by Netanyahu's moves.
    Shin Bet, the Israeli counterpart of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigations, is part of a probe into possible links between employees in Netanyahu's office and Qatar, which has been mediating Gaza ceasefire talks.
    The sacking of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar would be likely to draw widespread criticism, and protest groups in Israel have called urgent meetings to plan country-wide protests against Netanyahu and his government.
    Bar's dismissal will be brought before government on Wednesday (March 19), according to an official close to Netanyahu, but could face legal challenges.
    (Production: Rami Amichay, Avivit Delgoshen)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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