Secretary Kerry in Israel (23255006396).jpg
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to propose a vote within the government to remove the director of the Shin Bet domestic security agency.
In a statement released from Netanyahu’s office on Sunday, the prime minister expressed his “ongoing distrust” of Ronen Bar, emphasizing that confidence in the leader of the domestic security service is vital during wartime. Reports from Israeli media indicate that the vote regarding Bar’s dismissal is anticipated to occur during a special cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
In response, Bar acknowledged his accountability for the agency’s role in the failure to prevent the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which ignited the conflict in Gaza. However, he asserted that the motives behind his potential dismissal are unrelated to this incident.
Bar remarked, “The prime minister’s expectation for personal loyalty that conflicts with the public interest is entirely inappropriate.” Yair Golan, leader of the Israeli Democrat Party, also criticized the decision to dismiss Bar, stating on X that “Netanyahu has declared war on the State of Israel.” Golan further claimed, “The removal of the Shin Bet chief is a desperate maneuver by a criminal defendant seeking to eliminate someone who is committed to Israel and is investigating Netanyahu and his associates for serious and troubling offenses, and who refuses to exonerate them.”
The removal of the head of the Shin Bet will not occur without significant repercussions. There will be substantial opposition; we will resist vigorously and will not permit Netanyahu to transform the State of Israel into a dictatorship led by a corrupt individual,” he stated.
The decision to dismiss Bar follows a heated disagreement between the two, centering on accountability for the events of October 7.
The Shin Bet, tasked with monitoring Palestinian militant groups, recently published a report acknowledging its shortcomings regarding the attack, which is regarded in Israel as the most severe security failure in the nation’s history, resulting in 1,200 fatalities and 251 individuals taken hostage, according to Israeli figures.
Nevertheless, the organization also criticized Netanyahu for ineffective government policies that contributed to the circumstances leading to the attack.Despite this, the prime minister has resisted demands for an official state commission to investigate the events of October 7.
Additionally, Bar’s dismissal comes in the wake of several senior Israeli officials, who were in leadership positions during the Hamas assault, being compelled to resign, including former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and army chief Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi.
Tensions escalated over the weekend when Bar’s predecessor, Nadav Argaman, indicated he would disclose sensitive information regarding Netanyahu if it is determined that the prime minister had violated the law.
Netanyahu alleged that Argaman engaged in blackmail and subsequently lodged a complaint with the police
