The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office delivered a scathing response to the affidavit submitted by Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar to the Supreme Court, accusing him of dishonesty and attributing blame for the events of October 7, 2023.
In its statement, the PMO asserted that Bar failed to alert the Prime Minister and the Defense Minister on the morning of the attack, despite allegedly having intelligence for over three hours suggesting an imminent threat. “Had he done so – the massacre could have been avoided,” the statement read.
The PMO disputed Bar’s claim that he ordered the military secretary to be contacted at 05:15, pointing instead to evidence showing the Shin Bet only placed the call at 06:13 — just moments before the assault began.
The statement also highlighted comments made by Bar two days before the attack, when he reportedly said: “The renewal of understandings with Hamas shows potential for preserving stability in the Gaza Strip.” The Prime Minister’s Office labeled Bar “the father of the failure” and declared that he “must go home.”
Regarding Bar’s dismissal, the PMO said the decision to remove him had already been announced in November 2024, contradicting the attorney general’s assertion that the move was tied to the investigation of the ‘Qatar Gate’ affair. “The investigation was intended to prevent the dismissals – not the other way around,” the PMO claimed.
The statement also took issue with Bar’s allegation that the Prime Minister tried to delay his legal proceedings: “The prime minister insisted on holding it without a postponement.”
The PMO further criticized Bar for allegedly mishandling cases of incitement targeting elected officials. “He failed to prevent the firing of flares at the prime minister’s house in Caesarea, which started a fire and injured a security guard,” the office said.
It also charged that Bar ignored repeated pleas from the Prime Minister and cabinet members to address serious incitement. “No illegal action was required – only equitable enforcement that has not yet been implemented,” the statement concluded.

{Matzav.com}