SC freezes dismissal of Shin Bet chief

Israel's Supreme Court issued an injunction Friday temporarily freezing the dismissal of the head of the domestic intelligence service as protestors returned to the streets for a fourth day. PM Benjamin Netanyahu announced last week that he had lost confidence in Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and intended to dismiss him, prompting thousands to join demonstra- tions in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv this week protesting the sack- ing, which critics saw as an attempt to undermine key state institutions. The SC ruling will allow the court to consider petitions launched against the dismissal, which was approved by cabinet late Thursday, with a decision no later than April 8, a statement published on the court's website said.