Shas says it backs Bar’s dismissal after one of its members said gov’t will respect injunction freezing decision

The ultra-Orthodox Shas party issues a statement saying it stands by the decision to fire Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar after one of its ministers, Moshe Arbel, issued a statement earlier this afternoon saying that the government would respect the injunction issued by the High Court of Justice freezing the move until petitions against it are adjudicated.

“The Israeli government headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not violate the court’s decision,” Arbel had said in a statement that broke from other ministers who characterized the High Court injunction as an over-reach. Arbel has long arguably been the most moderate minister in the government.

Appearing to distance itself from Arbel, Shas says all of its ministers at last night’s cabinet meeting voted in favor of firing Bar.

“Any other statement does not represent the party’s position,” Shas says.