Israel Faces Deepening Political Crisis and Courtroom Fights

As the world remains divided over Israel and Palestine—evident in both online clashes and street demonstrations—Israel itself is split along internal political lines: pro-Netanyahu versus anti-Netanyahu. While these divisions predate the latest Gaza war and its fragile ceasefire, the resumption of hostilities has brought the country’s internal politics back into sharp focus.

Israel fights on multiple fronts, yet its people continue to protest. The renewed military operation in Gaza has driven tens of thousands into the streets, accusing Netanyahu of prioritizing his government’s survival—now closely tied to the war—over the lives of hostages. As Netanyahu tightens his hold on power by removing top legal and security officials, experts warn that escalating legal battles and a deepening political crisis could soon follow.

The Firing of Ronen Bar

Last week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed Ronen Bar, head of the Shin Bet internal security service, blaming the agency for failing to prevent Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attacks. While a newly released Shin Bet report on the attack indirectly criticized Netanyahu, stating that Israel’s long-standing strategy of maintaining “quiet” had allowed Hamas to significantly expand its military capabilities.

Rather than accepting responsibility, Netanyahu shifted blame onto military and Shin Bet leaders, once again claiming that the “deep state” is working against him. Critics viewed Bar’s removal as an attempt to weaken Israel’s independent institutions and possibly retaliate against the agency for investigating Netanyahu’s office. Meanwhile, the Shin Bet is probing a possible foreign intelligence infiltration of Netanyahu’s office, while Netanyahu himself remains on trial for corruption—developments that could further destabilize his government.

Bar stated that he had planned to resign after completing sensitive investigations, including one examining whether Qatar—a country with close ties to Hamas—had hired Netanyahu’s advisers to run an influence campaign in Israel. Netanyahu, with little evidence, has claimed the probe resulted from collusion between Bar and the attorney general to prevent him from ousting the security chief.

At the same time, Netanyahu’s government has moved to remove Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, accusing her of obstructing its agenda. On Sunday, the government voted to begin the process, a move that could take weeks.

Unfolding Legal Crisis

In a country without a formal constitution and a single parliamentary chamber controlled by Netanyahu’s coalition, Israel’s Supreme Court has long acted as a crucial check on government power. In early 2023, Netanyahu’s government introduced a sweeping judicial overhaul that critics argued would erode Israel’s system of checks and balances by consolidating excessive power in his hands.

Opponents also accused Netanyahu of pushing these changes while on trial for corruption, stressing that an independent judiciary is essential to preserving democracy. The Hamas attacks on October 7, which triggered the war in Gaza, temporarily halted the judicial overhaul but deepened divisions over accountability for Israel’s deadliest day.

The Supreme Court has already intervened in Netanyahu’s dismissal of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, issuing an injunction that temporarily blocks the move pending further hearings. In the coming weeks, the court is expected to determine whether the dismissal was legally justified and whether a conflict of interest exists, given the ongoing investigation into Qatar’s alleged influence over Netanyahu’s office.

If Netanyahu’s committee proceeds with removing Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, the decision will almost certainly face a Supreme Court challenge. The court will once again be tasked with ruling on whether Netanyahu has a conflict of interest, considering that he seeks to oust the official overseeing his corruption prosecution.

What remains uncertain is whether Netanyahu’s government will comply with an unfavorable ruling. The most volatile scenario would be outright defiance of the court’s decision, triggering a constitutional crisis over whether judicial or executive authority prevails, potentially plunging Israel into deep political turmoil.

Political Crisis Ahead

Breaking the ceasefire has helped Netanyahu’s government remain in power by facilitating the return of far-right politician Itamar Ben-Gvir to the coalition, bolstering Netanyahu’s position ahead of a crucial budget vote.

However, political tensions have intensified since efforts to remove top officials began. Over the weekend, Aharon Barak, Israel’s foremost legal scholar, warned in a series of interviews that the country could be on the brink of civil war. He also joined nearly 20 former Supreme Court justices in signing a letter on Sunday, arguing that the attorney general’s dismissal threatens the rule of law.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid has called for a tax revolt if the government ignores the court’s ruling, while the head of Israel’s largest labor union warned that defying a judicial decision would be a red line, raising the possibility of general strikes.

The coming days will be pivotal for Netanyahu and his coalition. Defying the courts could trigger widespread civil disobedience—an outcome that may ultimately spell the downfall of his government.