Israeli government approves firing of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar despite huge protests

Bar had strained relations with Benjamin Netanyahu, whose aides are being investigated by intelligence agency

The head of Shin Bet, Israel’s domestic intelligence agency, has been dismissed, a week after Benjamin Netanyahu said he had lost confidence in him, and despite three days of protests against the move.

“The government unanimously approved prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposal to end ISA [Israeli Security Agency] director Ronen Bar’s term of office,” a statement from the prime minister’s office said.