Dozens of leaders of protest groups throughout the Zionist entity say they plan a major demonstration in occupied Al-Quds (Jerusalem) Wednesday, in protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s intention to fire Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar.
After meeting in Tel Aviv this morning, the groups announce their plan for a large-scale rally outside government offices as ministers meet to vote on dismissing Bar.
Once the vote ends, demonstrators plan to march on to the Prime Minister’s Residence in central Jerusalem, where they are gearing up for a long-term stay, with tent camps.
Meanwhile, the Israel Business Forum, which represents most private-sector workers from 200 of the Zionist entity’s largest companies, called on Netanyahu to backtrack from his intention to dismiss Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, calling it a “destructive” move.
“Israel is in the midst of one of the most difficult periods in its history — from a security, economic and social perspective,” the business forum said in a statement.
“The last thing Israel needs is an internal battle in which the prime minister, in a severe conflict of interest, fires gatekeepers, in violation of the law — especially at this difficult time.”
“Israel’s enemies are watching with pleasure as Israel returns to the same path that led the country to the October 7 attack,” the forum warned.
Instead, the forum urged Netanyahu to focus on “what is truly important now: the return of the 59 hostages who were kidnapped under his watch… establishing a state investigation committee, according to the president’s agreement, and rehabilitating deterrence, the economy and society.”
“‘They were in their positions on October 7’
– Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
– Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar (dismissed)
– Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi (resigned)
– Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (dismissed)
– Southern Command Chief Yaron Finkelman (resigned)
-… https://t.co/IQQNgrfnCi— FlyingBeagle (@FlyingBeagle_) March 17, 2025
Bar Refuses to Resign
For his part, Bar has set conditions for his departure while refusing to resign. He accused Netanyahu of repeated failures and rejected calls for his resignation.
Bar stated on Monday that he would remain in his position until all captives were returned and called for an investigative committee involving all relevant parties, including political and government officials as well as the prime minister. He emphasized that such an inquiry was necessary for public safety.
“My national responsibility drives my decision to remain in office for the foreseeable future, given the risk of escalation, heightened security tensions, and the realistic possibility of renewed fighting in Gaza, where the Shin Bet plays a crucial role,” Bar said in a statement published by the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth.
Bar clarified that his dismissal was not linked to the events of October 7, 2023, and that investigations into the incident indicated that government policies over the past year played a key role in the security failure.
He also criticized Netanyahu for demanding personal loyalty, stating that it was against the law and the public interest.
With the dismissal of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar #Netanyahu has now purged virtually all top Israeli security officials.
“Israel Hayom” Hebrew newspaper – Yoav Limor: Netanyahu claimed yesterday that the reason for the dismissal was a loss of trust between him and Bar. However,… pic.twitter.com/sz3doMw7xl— tim anderson (@timand2037) March 17, 2025
Source: Israeli media
