The effort is part of a dispute between Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing alliance and its opponents about the nature and future of the Israeli state.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday accused Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara of abusing her authority after she told him that he cannot proceed with the dismissal of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar unless a “factual and legal basis” for doing so can be established.

The law does not specify a proceeding for dismissing the head of the Shin Bet. Section 3 of the General Security Service Law states, "The government may terminate the term of office of the head of the Service before the end of his term,