Supreme Court Dismisses Bereaved Parents’ Petition Against Bar’s Refusal To Leave Position

The Supreme Court dismissed a petition by bereaved parents whose children were murdered or abducted on October 7 to order Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar to clarify when he intends to leave his position.

In addition, the petition, signed by over 100 Israelis, including parents of hostages in Gaza, requested to remove the affidavit Bar submitted on Sunday from the case, as it contains no details regarding the legality of the government to dismiss him.

The court dismissed the petition, angering the petitioners who said that they were treated disrespectfully by the court. “In addition, the judges did not address the request of the bereaved parents who asked the court to allow them to review the file and see the documents that were submitted.”

Adv. Yehuda Poah stated: “The court’s contemptuous attitude towards the bereaved parents is outrageous. Terrorists with blood on their hands are granted the opportunity to have their claims heard in court and receive close attention, but bereaved parents and parents of murder victims are met with blatant disregard.”

Earlier on Tuesday, dozens of bereaved families sent a letter to Bar demanding that he comply with the government’s decision and end his term.

The letter states: “We, bereaved families, members of the Gevura Forum, who lost the dearest of all in the Swords of Iron War, appeal to you with an unequivocal demand – obey and fulfill the government’s decision and end your term. Your continued tenure at this time, despite the government’s decision, harms the people, the state, and security, endangers the stability of the state, and is causing an intensification of the rift between the authorities. And all this while our soldiers are fighting on multiple fronts.”

“Sir, in a conversation with a number of bereaved families, including myself, last week in your office, you pledged to end your term no later than May 15. Keep your word. We ask that you act responsibly and immediately announce a date for the end of your term, before the upcoming Zikaron week. Please do not add pain and division to our brokenness. It is in your power to prevent another deep rift and to maintain a measure of responsibility towards the people and the state.”