On Thursday evening, the Israeli government gave the green light to the removal of Ronen Bar, the head of the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet), with the decision set to be implemented within the next 30 days or as soon as a replacement is appointed.
After the dismissal was confirmed, a diplomatic official responded to a letter from Bar that had been shared with ministers during the deliberations over his ousting. “The Israeli government, which oversees the Shin Bet, has completely lost confidence in Ronen Bar, who continues to refuse to step down while cynically using the families of the hostages and making improper political use of his position to fabricate baseless investigations,” the official stated.
The source further elaborated, stating, “Ronen had an opportunity to resign with dignity after his severe failure on October 7, just as the outgoing Chief of Staff did. However, he chose not to attend the government meeting dealing with his case—simply because he was afraid to provide answers, especially to one critical question: Why, after knowing about the Hamas attack many hours before it happened, did he do nothing and fail to alert the Prime Minister—something that could have prevented the disaster? If Ronen Bar had performed his duty as firmly as he now clings to his seat, we wouldn’t have reached October 7.”
During the same meeting, Minister Gideon Sa’ar criticized Bar for sending a bold letter instead of appearing in person before the government. “In his letter, the Shin Bet chief writes that he will present his detailed position in the appropriate forum. What is the appropriate forum? This is the appropriate forum! The forum legally empowered to make this decision,” Sa’ar remarked.
Sa’ar also addressed the criticism directed at the government regarding its handling of the October 7 events, stating, “The government is tested on this issue every week. The government can be replaced in one of two ways—through democratic elections by the people or by a vote of no confidence in the Knesset.”
Minister Ze’ev Elkin shared that he had intended to discuss the failings of October 7 but was so taken aback by Bar’s letter that it overshadowed his remarks. “There is no significance to what I intended to say after seeing Bar’s astonishing letter, which essentially constitutes a complete rejection of the principle that the security echelon is subordinate to the political leadership.”
Opposition leader Yair Lapid reiterated his opposition, asserting that his party would take the matter to the Supreme Court. “The hasty and unfounded dismissal of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar serves only one purpose: to halt the ‘Qatar-Gate’ investigation. Those under investigation in a serious criminal affair that endangered state security are now firing their own investigators,” Lapid declared.
He also mentioned, “The parties in the opposition will jointly appeal against this reckless move, which is intended to cover up the infiltration of a hostile state into Netanyahu’s office,” Lapid concluded.
Benny Gantz, leader of the National Unity party, denounced the dismissal, calling it politically motivated. “The dismissal of the Shin Bet chief due to political motives is a mark of Cain for every minister who raised their hand in favor of it tonight. It will be remembered in infamy forever,” Gantz added.
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