Benjamin Netanyahu’s political travails continued after Israel’s highest court ruled a top security official must stay in place despite the government firing him, prolonging yet another battle between the Prime Minister, the judiciary and a protest movement.
After a stormy 11-hour hearing, during which members of the government had to be removed from the public galleries for disrupting proceedings, the Supreme Court issued an interim injunction that Ronen Bar should remain chief of the Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security agency. It gave the government and the Attorney General, vilified by many in the ruling coalition, until April 20 to find a solution.
Judges objected to the procedures followed to sack Mr Bar and supported the Attorney General’s contention that an advisory committee should be consulted before his dismissal. There are fears the decision could lead to a constitutional crisis if Mr Netanyahu does not abide by the ruling.
Mr Netanyahu’s office described the ruling as “puzzling”, shortly after it was announced on Tuesday evening. “It is unthinkable that the Israeli government would be prevented from removing a failed Shin Bet head from office simply because an investigation has been opened that is not related to any of the ministers,” a statement from the office said.
Mr Netanyahu insists he fired Mr Bar over a lack of trust in his ability. Critics say it was done for political reasons, in particular Shin Bet’s investigation into whether members of the Prime Minister’s staff accepted money from Qatar while he was in office. The allegation is highly controversial given Israel's war in Gaza against Hamas, the Palestinian militant group whose political leaders are based in Qatar.
Mr Bar is also in favour of a state commission of an inquiry into the deadly attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023, that triggered the war, a suggestion Mr Netanyahu has consistently opposed. There are also reports that Mr Bar refused Mr Netanyahu's request to help him delay giving testimony in his trial on corruption charges.
Protesters have turned out in their thousands to oppose Mr Netanyahu's firing of Mr Bar, as well as to call for the government to prioritise the release of hostages in Gaza who were seized during the October 7 attack.
Mr Netanyahu’s coalition has been in a battle with the country’s judiciary since it came into office in December 2022. His government's plans to radically overhaul the judicial system – which it said had become too powerful and undemocratic – triggered mass protests across the country in the months before the Hamas attack. Critics said weakening the legal system in such a manner would end Israeli democracy by destroying the only real check on government power.
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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2020 Oscars winners: in numbers
- Parasite – 4
- 1917– 3
- Ford v Ferrari – 2
- Joker – 2
- Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood – 2
- American Factory – 1
- Bombshell – 1
- Hair Love – 1
- Jojo Rabbit – 1
- Judy – 1
- Little Women – 1
- Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl) – 1
- Marriage Story – 1
- Rocketman – 1
- The Neighbors' Window – 1
- Toy Story 4 – 1
The specs: 2018 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy
Price, base / as tested Dh97,600
Engine 1,745cc Milwaukee-Eight v-twin engine
Transmission Six-speed gearbox
Power 78hp @ 5,250rpm
Torque 145Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 5.0L / 100km (estimate)
The Library: A Catalogue of Wonders
Stuart Kells, Counterpoint Press
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Qosty Byogaani
Starring: Hani Razmzi, Maya Nasir and Hassan Hosny
Four stars
The specs: 2018 Volkswagen Teramont
Price, base / as tested Dh137,000 / Dh189,950
Engine 3.6-litre V6
Gearbox Eight-speed automatic
Power 280hp @ 6,200rpm
Torque 360Nm @ 2,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 11.7L / 100km
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
