Israel has dismissed the head of its powerful internal intelligence agency Shin Bet, an unprecedented move since it was set up in 1949. Shin Bet is one of three principal intelligence services of Israel along with Aman, which deals with military intelligence, and Mossad, which oversees foreign intelligence. The decision to terminate the services of director Ronen Bar was made unanimously at a cabinet meeting held last night and has become a major political controversy roiling Israel.
A statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the decision was made as the PM lost confidence in Bar and that he would serve till April 10 or till a new permanent director was appointed to lead the agency, whichever came earlier. The dismissal came a year and a half ahead of his scheduled retirement and was challenged immediately at the High Court of Justice by the Movement for Quality of Government.
In Jerusalem, people are protesting against the dismissal of the head of Shin Bet. pic.twitter.com/IipF0G1FuK
— INW English (@INWEnglish) March 20, 2025
Netanyahu’s office said Bar’s removal was necessary for achieving Israel’s war aims in Gaza and was aimed at preventing the “next disaster”, implying that Shin Bet’s security lapses were among the reasons behind Hamas’s October 7 attacks. Netanyahu has repeatedly blamed the agency for not doing enough to prevent the attacks. An internal investigation by Shin Bet had shown that the agency was unsuccessful in anticipating and preventing the attacks.
Bar, meanwhile, also blamed Netanyhu’s policies for the volatile security situation. Provocative moves by the far-right members of the Netanyahu cabinet such as visiting the Al Aqsa compound and mistreatment of Palestinians were contributing factors behind the audacious attack by Hamas, according to Shin Bet.
The latest provocation, however, behind Netanyahu’s insistence to do away with Bar’s services is possibly the Qatar-Gate investigations. Shin Bet has been looking into charges that some members of Netanyahu’s inner circle have lobbied inappropriately on behalf of Qatar. Yesterday, police detained two suspects for alleged financial ties with the government of Qatar. The PM’s office alleged that it was a witch-hunt by the leftist deep state, comparing it to investigations against President Donald Trump in the US. The controversy erupted after Israeli businessman Gil Birger acknowledged that he moved money from a Qatari government lobbyist to Eli Feldstein, a spokesperson in the prime minister’s office.
Adding to the drama, Israel’s attorney general Gali Baharav-Miara wrote a letter to the prime minister ahead of the cabinet vote to dismiss Bar that the government lacked the power to remove the Shin Bet chief without the authorisation of a special committee. Netanyahu wrote back saying the AG was exceeding her authority by writing such a letter.
Bar responded to his dismissal with an explosive statement, saying the move was illegal, invalid and was “entirely tainted by conflict of interest”. He said the cabinet meeting to remove him was hastily convened, denying him the right to explain himself. He also blamed the manner in which the Gaza operations were conducted and said Netanyahu was putting the lives of the hostages still in Hamas custody in jeopardy by ousting him and the Mossad chief from the negotiating team dealing with the crisis.
Tens of thousands of people are protesting against the decision to sack Bar, calling it an assault on democracy. Police have arrested dozens as protesters continue to block key highways and streets in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Netanyahu’s decision to abandon the Gaza ceasefire and escalate the conflict against Hamas has also added to the situation.
