Israeli Prime Minister’s Office announced that the proposal for the dismissal of the Head of Internal Intelligence Agency Shin Bet, Ronen Bar, by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was unanimously accepted by the government. Following the approval of Netanyahu’s decision, Ronen Bar became the first Shin Bet Head to be removed from office.

Bad news came from the government to Ronen Bar, the Head of Internal Intelligence Agency Shin Bet in Israel.

The statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office stated that the proposal by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to dismiss Bar was accepted by the government, saying, “The government unanimously approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposal to terminate the position of Shin Bet Head Ronen Bar. Bar’s mission will end on April 10, 2025, or when a permanent Shin Bet head is appointed (whichever comes first).” RONEN BAR: DISMISSED DUE TO UNFOUNDED ACCUSATIONS

In a letter to the ministers who would vote on his dismissal, Bar expressed his refusal to attend the government meeting where his dismissal was to be voted upon, stating that it was against Israeli laws. Refuting the claim of distrust between him and the Prime Minister, which was put forth as the reason for his dismissal, Bar evaluated, “Under my leadership, Shin Bet and the Prime Minister had intense and effective cooperation.” Arguing that the Shin Bet Director should be loyal to the public rather than the Prime Minister, Bar stated, “Netanyahu could not support the reasons he put forward for my dismissal. Despite my request, no concrete examples were provided.” Bar insisted that Netanyahu’s claim of lacking trust between them had no valid basis, asserting that his real intention was to continue ceasefire negotiations in Gaza without reaching an agreement. He mentioned that Netanyahu’s decision to remove him and Mossad Chief David Barnea from ceasefire and prisoner exchange negotiations harmed the team and hindered progress towards the release of prisoners. Bar accused Netanyahu of taking steps that would “weaken the country against both internal and external enemies.” BAR CLAIMS DECISION IS BASED ON “CONFLICT OF INTEREST”

In his letter, Shin Bet Director Bar also referred to Shin Bet’s investigation, named the “Katargate” investigation, into allegations that Netanyahu’s close advisers received money through front companies from Qatar. Bar used the expression, “Significant investigative steps are being taken. Following the hasty dismissal based entirely on groundless allegations, there are suspicions of foreign interests and an unprecedented conflict of interest.” He cautioned that Netanyahu’s initiative to remove them from office sent a dangerous message to the names under investigation and could jeopardize the outcome of the investigation. THE “KATARGATE” SCANDAL

The “Katargate” discussions started with allegations that millions of dollars received from Qatar were transferred to Netanyahu’s election campaign. These allegations led to an investigation by Shin Bet, with the Prime Minister’s spokespersons Eliezer Feldstein and advisers Jonathan Urich and Srulik Einhorn being investigated. The Israeli media reported allegations that Netanyahu also received $15 million from Qatar in 2012 and $50 million in 2018. Information was provided that Feldstein received a salary from an international company to support Qatar’s image, and Netanyahu’s advisers Urich and Einhorn also provided image consulting for Qatar. NETANYAHU’S TRUST ISSUE LED TO A CRISIS

In Israel, following the surprise attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, the 7th name to either resign or be removed from office due to mutual accusations in the country’s top leadership turned out to be the Dire…