Synopsis
On March 17, 2023, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu initiated dismissal procedures for Ronen Bar, the Shin Bet chief, amidst rising tensions. Bar asserted his loyalty to public security over the Prime Minister. This decision follows a dispute over accountability for the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, revealing deep political and security fractures within Israel.Key Takeaways
- Netanyahu seeks to dismiss Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar.
- Bar emphasizes loyalty to public security, not the Prime Minister.
- Calls for a state commission of inquiry into government policies.
- The move follows accountability disputes over the Hamas attack.
- Political tensions between Netanyahu and security establishment escalate.
Jerusalem, March 17 (NationPress) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that he has commenced the process to remove Ronen Bar, the head of the Shin Bet, amidst escalating tensions with the internal security organization.
In a statement issued by Netanyahu's office on Sunday, it was revealed that Bar was called to a meeting and notified that a proposal for his dismissal would be brought before the government this week, according to Xinhua news agency.
During a video address to the Israeli public, Netanyahu stated that the decision stemmed from “a lack of trust” in Bar.
As the conflict between the two became public, Bar responded to Netanyahu, asserting that his loyalty as Chief of Shin Bet lies with the Israeli public and national security, rather than with the Prime Minister personally.
He contended that Netanyahu's “expectation of personal loyalty contradicts the public interest, is fundamentally flawed, and violates the Shin Bet Law”.
Bar reiterated his demand for a state commission of inquiry to scrutinize “all relevant parties,” including government policies and Netanyahu himself.
He emphasized that such an investigation is “essential for public security”.
This action follows an intensifying dispute between Netanyahu and the Shin Bet over accountability for the failures that led to the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.
The Shin Bet, which is charged with overseeing Palestinian militant factions, admitted in a recent report that it did not foresee the lethal assault on Israel.
However, the agency also implicated Netanyahu for government policies that facilitated the “massive buildup” of Hamas.
Netanyahu has dismissed demands for a state commission of inquiry regarding his government's management of the events before and during the attack.
In his counterstatement, Bar suggested that the reason behind his dismissal is primarily political and not related to the Hamas attack.
“I took responsibility for the agency's part (in failing to prevent the attack)... it is clear that the intent behind my dismissal is not related to October 7,” he wrote in a statement.
Tensions between Netanyahu and Bar have also escalated regarding the so-called “Qatar Gate,” an investigation into connections between Netanyahu's close aides and the Qatari government. Qatar has played a significant role in mediating between Israel and Hamas for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of Israeli hostages. Despite this, Qatar and Israel do not currently maintain formal diplomatic relations.
Netanyahu's attempt to dismiss Bar highlights the growing friction between Netanyahu and Israel's security establishment as the nation remains mired in war and political strife.
This move came shortly after Israeli police initiated an investigation into Bar's predecessor, Nadav Argaman, following a complaint from the Prime Minister.
Netanyahu accused Argaman of “blackmailing a sitting Prime Minister” and issuing “mafia-style” criminal threats.
The complaint arose from an interview Argaman gave to Israel's Channel 12 News on Thursday, where he claimed to possess “a great deal of knowledge” about Netanyahu.
He stated he would disclose “everything” he knows if he concludes that Netanyahu “has decided to act in contravention of the law”.
“I'm very troubled by the fact that the Prime Minister is deliberately damaging Israeli society and causing friction within it in order to rule,” the former Shin Bet Chief remarked, adding that “any information threatening Israel's national security would be shared according to law.”
