Tel Aviv, March 22 -- Israel's High Court of Justice issued a temporary order on Friday, preventing the removal of Shin Bet's chief Ronen Bar, hours after the Cabinet voted overnight to remove him by April 10 at the latest, Times of Israel reported.

As per Times of Israel, the order will remain in place until the court can hear the petitions which have been filed against Bar's dismissal. The court said that it will hear the petitions no later than April 8.

The decision by the court sets up a showdown between the government as Times of Israel reported that the ministers openly vowed to to defy the court -- and the judicial system which was seen to be backed up by large segments of Israeli civil society. The main labour union and business...