Israeli tech leaders threaten shutdown over Shin Bet chief dismissal
Outrage grows as High Court ruling is ignored
Israel’s high-tech industry, trade unions and opposition parties have condemned the government’s decision to dismiss Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, warning of a constitutional crisis after the move defied a High Court ruling.
The Israeli High-Tech Headquarters, representing top tech firms and investors, said on Friday:
“If the government decides to lead Israel with open eyes into a constitutional crisis, we will shut down the companies and launch a public struggle together with all the strength of Israeli society.
“We call on [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu to stop a moment before falling into the abyss.”
The Histadrut trade union’s chief, Arnon Bar-David, described the situation as “anarchy under government auspices”, saying refusal to follow the court’s ruling was a “red line”.
Reichman University also said it may suspend activity, calling on the government to uphold democratic values.
Opposition parties Yesh Atid, National Unity, Yisrael Beytenu and The Democrats petitioned the High Court to block the dismissal.
Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid said the prime minister has acted under a “severe conflict of interest”, citing Shin Bet’s recent criticism of government failures around 7 October.
Former minister Ayelet Shaked added, “In the State of Israel, everyone reports when called up for reserve duty, and everyone obeys the court’s ruling.”
Protests have continued outside the High Court in Jerusalem.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
