Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has taken steps to dismiss the head of the country’s domestic security agency, Shin Bet, Ronen Bar. Netanyahu is expected to present his decision to the cabinet for approval later this week. Bar, who reacted to the decision, said, “An expectation of personal trust that conflicts with the public interest is wrong.” It was stated that Netanyahu was inspired by Trump’s decision to appoint loyal individuals to key positions.

According to a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, Netanyahu met with Bar and informed him that he would submit a draft decision to dismiss him to the government this week. The cabinet meeting where the vote on the dismissal of Shin Bet Director Bar will take place is scheduled for Wednesday. In a video message he released, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stated, “We are in the midst of a war on seven fronts. In such an existential war, the Prime Minister must fully trust the Shin Bet chief, at all times, but especially in such a critical battle.” Netanyahu, who expressed a lack of trust in Bar, justified the decision to dismiss him by ongoing and growing distrust over time. While Netanyahu expressed his trust in Shin Bet, he argued that the decision to dismiss Bar was necessary.

REACTION FROM INTELLIGENCE CHIEF BAR

Israeli domestic security agency Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar reacted to Netanyahu’s decision.

According to Israel’s state television channel Kan, Bar said, “It is clear that my dismissal is not based on October 7th.” Bar accused Netanyahu of acting personally by saying, “An expectation of personal trust that conflicts with the public interest is wrong.” Bar used the phrase, “It is clear that the reason for my dismissal is not October 7th. The Prime Minister explained that the decision arose from the claim of a lack of trust between us.”

Bar mentioned that Shin Bet conducted a comprehensive investigation into intelligence errors and internal processes related to October 7, indicating that “The investigation shows that the warnings of the organization were deliberately ignored by the political level for a long time.” Stressing the need for not only the military and internal intelligence agencies but also the government and Netanyahu to be questioned on this issue, Bar stated that he persisted in this regard. Bar emphasized that he would fulfill his obligation to prepare the two potential candidates who may take his place in the best way possible.

ISRAELI ATTORNEY GENERAL: CANNOT DISMISS ARBITRARILY

Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara stated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cannot arbitrarily dismiss Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar.

Miara emphasized the necessity of presenting the underlying reasons and legal grounds behind this decision, as well as investigating the adequacy of Netanyahu to make this decision. Miara noted that Bar’s dismissal would not be possible unless these steps were taken. Referring to the grounds of “personal distrust” by Netanyahu, Miara drew attention to the “extraordinary sensitivity” of the matter turning into a conflict of interest.

INSPIRED BY TRUMP?

According to the American press, Netanyahu made the decision to dismiss Bar following his visit to the United States. It is stated that Netanyahu was inspired by the decision of US President Donald Trump to appoint loyal individuals to key positions. However, within the Israeli government, there are concerns that Netanyahu’s decision is illegal and creates a conflict of interest. It is noted that no Israeli government has ever dismissed any Shin Bet chief before.

WHY DID THEIR RELATIONSHIP DETERIORATE? So, what happened that led to the deteriorated relationship between the Israeli Prime Minister and the Shin Bet Director? A few weeks ago, Shin Bet had launched an investigation into some of Netanyahu’s advisers over allegations of receiving money from Qatar. Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar’s term was supposed to end in October 2026 under normal circumstances. If the Israeli government approves Netanyahu’s decision, Ronen Bar will be the first Shin Bet Director to be dismissed.