Mass protests erupted in Israel for the sixth consecutive day on Sunday as reports surfaced that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet is planning a no-confidence vote to remove Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara.
Demonstrations in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv have brought tens of thousands to the streets, fueled by concerns over Israeli hostages in Gaza and anger over government actions, including an attempt to remove the head of the Shin Bet intelligence agency. The planned dismissal of Baharav-Miara follows the recent move to sack Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, a decision that has been frozen by the Supreme Court.
Netanyahu’s government has clashed frequently with Baharav-Miara, who was appointed under former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. Justice Minister Yariv Levin has accused her of politicizing her office and obstructing government decisions. While the vote against her was reportedly scheduled for Sunday, any actual dismissal could take months due to legal challenges.
The government’s efforts to remove high-ranking officials have intensified accusations that it is eroding Israel’s democratic institutions. Protesters argue that Netanyahu’s administration is using its power to weaken independent oversight, an issue that previously sparked mass demonstrations against judicial reforms before the Gaza war.
At the same time, frustration is mounting over the fate of the 59 Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. Many families accuse the government of abandoning efforts to secure their release. Protesters from different groups, despite having varied priorities, are now united in opposition to the government’s actions.
Netanyahu has defended the dismissal of Bar, rejecting claims that it was meant to block a Shin Bet investigation into alleged financial ties between Qatar and his aides. The probe, he insists, was politically motivated. Qatar has dismissed the allegations as false.
With tensions rising, the government’s efforts to consolidate control could face significant legal and political resistance in the coming weeks.