Netanyahu Aims to Remove Security Chief
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is moving to dismiss Shin Bet director Ronen Bar, citing a "persistent lack of confidence" in Bar’s leadership. This decision follows the domestic security agency's admission of failures that contributed...
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is moving to dismiss Shin Bet director Ronen Bar, citing a "persistent lack of confidence" in Bar’s leadership. This decision follows the domestic security agency's admission of failures that contributed to the October 7 Hamas attack, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths and 250 hostages taken.
“Due to ongoing lack of trust, I have decided to bring a proposal to the government to end the tenure of the Shin Bet chief, Ronen Bar,” Netanyahu stated in a video message on Sunday. He emphasized that “this step is crucial in order to restore the organization, to achieve all of our war objectives, and to prevent the next tragedy.”
Netanyahu has accused Bar of orchestrating “an ongoing campaign of threats and media leaks” designed to obstruct him from making the necessary changes to rebuild Shin Bet after its significant failures on October 7.
This development comes after an internal report from Shin Bet acknowledged that the agency miscalculated the threat posed by Hamas. The report indicated that there were warning signs that went unaddressed, asserting that the massacre “could have been prevented” with different actions taken prior to and during the night of the attack.
Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has raised concerns about Netanyahu’s authority in this matter, suggesting that he may lack the legal grounds to dismiss the security chief.
While some government officials have praised the decision as overdue, opposition leaders have criticized it as undemocratic, asserting that Netanyahu is putting his personal interests above national security.
Bar, who has been at the helm of Shin Bet since 2021, has rejected Netanyahu’s efforts to oust him, arguing that his responsibilities require him to continue his work amid ongoing security issues, hostage negotiations, and sensitive investigations. He has pointed to the government’s long-standing Gaza policy as a contributing factor to the October 7 attack, insisting that his commitment lies with the Israeli public rather than fulfilling a “personal duty of trust” to the prime minister.
In addition, Netanyahu has removed Bar and Mossad chief David Barnea from ceasefire negotiations with Hamas, alleging they leaked information and adopted a lenient approach.
Earlier this year, Shin Bet initiated an investigation into alleged lobbying by Netanyahu’s aides on behalf of Qatar. In response, Netanyahu’s office denied any wrongdoing and accused Shin Bet of selectively enforcing the law by not investigating political adversaries.
Camille Lefevre contributed to this article for TROIB News
“Due to ongoing lack of trust, I have decided to bring a proposal to the government to end the tenure of the Shin Bet chief, Ronen Bar,” Netanyahu stated in a video message on Sunday. He emphasized that “this step is crucial in order to restore the organization, to achieve all of our war objectives, and to prevent the next tragedy.”
Netanyahu has accused Bar of orchestrating “an ongoing campaign of threats and media leaks” designed to obstruct him from making the necessary changes to rebuild Shin Bet after its significant failures on October 7.
This development comes after an internal report from Shin Bet acknowledged that the agency miscalculated the threat posed by Hamas. The report indicated that there were warning signs that went unaddressed, asserting that the massacre “could have been prevented” with different actions taken prior to and during the night of the attack.
Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has raised concerns about Netanyahu’s authority in this matter, suggesting that he may lack the legal grounds to dismiss the security chief.
While some government officials have praised the decision as overdue, opposition leaders have criticized it as undemocratic, asserting that Netanyahu is putting his personal interests above national security.
Bar, who has been at the helm of Shin Bet since 2021, has rejected Netanyahu’s efforts to oust him, arguing that his responsibilities require him to continue his work amid ongoing security issues, hostage negotiations, and sensitive investigations. He has pointed to the government’s long-standing Gaza policy as a contributing factor to the October 7 attack, insisting that his commitment lies with the Israeli public rather than fulfilling a “personal duty of trust” to the prime minister.
In addition, Netanyahu has removed Bar and Mossad chief David Barnea from ceasefire negotiations with Hamas, alleging they leaked information and adopted a lenient approach.
Earlier this year, Shin Bet initiated an investigation into alleged lobbying by Netanyahu’s aides on behalf of Qatar. In response, Netanyahu’s office denied any wrongdoing and accused Shin Bet of selectively enforcing the law by not investigating political adversaries.
Camille Lefevre contributed to this article for TROIB News
