Shin Bet Chief to Resign Amid Netanyahu Dispute \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar announced his resignation following the agency’s failure to prevent Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks, escalating tensions with Prime Minister Netanyahu. Bar accused Netanyahu of politicizing the agency. Israel’s Supreme Court is still weighing broader implications for the Shin Bet’s independence.
Quick Looks
- Ronen Bar to step down as Shin Bet chief June 15.
- Bar admits agency failed to warn of Oct. 7 Hamas attacks.
- Netanyahu attempted to fire Bar, triggering a Supreme Court freeze.
- Bar accuses Netanyahu of politicizing security services.
- Supreme Court urged to protect Shin Bet independence.
- Qatar-Israel probe involving Netanyahu’s office intensifies.
- Netanyahu denies accusations, claims “deep state” conspiracy.
- Bar’s departure sparks fears of loyalist appointment to key post.
Deep Look
In a dramatic move that underscores growing tensions at the heart of Israel’s security establishment, Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar announced Monday he will resign on June 15, acknowledging his agency’s failure to foresee and prevent the deadly Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023.
Bar’s resignation defuses, at least temporarily, an explosive political and legal confrontation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had sought to fire the internal security head amidst a swirling corruption and governance scandal.
Bar’s Public Acknowledgment of Failure
Speaking at a memorial ceremony for fallen Shin Bet operatives, Bar offered a stark admission:
“After years on many fronts, one night, on the southern front, the skies came down. All systems collapsed. The Shin Bet also failed to give a warning.”
His rare public acknowledgment of failure resonated deeply across Israeli society, where many have demanded accountability from top security officials after Hamas’ deadly infiltration into southern Israel last year.
Bar called on all who failed in their duties that day to “bow our heads in humility” before the victims and their families, emphasizing the need for genuine reckoning and reform within Israel’s intelligence community.
Political Battle: Netanyahu Versus the Security Establishment
The controversy surrounding Bar’s departure runs far deeper than operational shortcomings.
Last month, Netanyahu attempted to dismiss Bar, citing a “crisis of confidence.” However, critics — including legal scholars and opposition figures — accused Netanyahu of abusing his authority to protect himself politically.
At the center of the controversy:
- The Shin Bet’s ongoing investigation into alleged ties between Netanyahu’s office and Qatar — a critical but controversial mediator in Gaza negotiations.
- Bar’s legal filings accusing Netanyahu of pressuring him to misuse the Shin Bet for political purposes, including spying on anti-government protestors and interfering with Netanyahu’s own corruption trial.
Bar asserted that the Supreme Court case was “not about my personal case but about the independence of the next heads of the Shin Bet.”
In a powerful statement, he warned that preserving Shin Bet’s nonpartisan character is essential to the survival of Israeli democracy itself.
Supreme Court Intervention
Israel’s Supreme Court temporarily froze Netanyahu’s dismissal order after multiple legal petitions challenged the move.
The court urged both sides to find a compromise to preserve the Shin Bet’s operational independence and avoid destabilizing an already fragile security situation.
By announcing his resignation voluntarily, Bar effectively preempts a drawn-out constitutional crisis, allowing for a smoother transition — but leaving behind significant unresolved tensions.
Netanyahu’s Push for a Loyalist Successor
Netanyahu had tried earlier this month to appoint a new Shin Bet head — a former navy commander — but the nomination collapsed within 24 hours after it emerged that the candidate had previously participated in anti-government protests.
The failed appointment highlighted concerns that Netanyahu seeks to install loyalists into sensitive national security positions — a move critics say could undermine Israel’s democratic institutions and politicize its intelligence agencies.
With Bar stepping aside, Netanyahu is now expected to again push for a replacement more aligned with his political interests, fueling further anxieties about the erosion of Israeli security neutrality.
Qatar Investigation and Broader Scandals
Complicating matters further is the Shin Bet’s probe into allegations that Netanyahu’s close advisers worked as paid consultants for Qatar — even as they advised him on sensitive war negotiations.
While Netanyahu has not been directly implicated, the investigation threatens to cast a shadow over his leadership at a critical moment, as Israel faces mounting international pressure over its war in Gaza.
This Qatar scandal joins a series of ongoing corruption cases against Netanyahu, who has long portrayed himself as the victim of a conspiracy involving Israel’s judiciary, media, and civil service — the so-called “deep state.”
Bar’s departure, under these conditions, may weaken the Shin Bet’s ability to pursue politically sensitive investigations freely.
A Moment of Transition — and Uncertainty
Ronen Bar’s resignation marks a pivotal moment for Israel’s internal security landscape.
In stepping down, Bar preserved a measure of dignity and emphasized the need for independent oversight of the intelligence community. But the political maneuvering around his departure highlights growing threats to that independence.
Who succeeds Bar — and whether they maintain the Shin Bet’s crucial role as a nonpartisan guardian of Israel’s security — will be a defining test for the country’s democracy in the months and years ahead.
As Israel navigates ongoing war in Gaza, regional threats, and internal political divisions, the stakes surrounding the future leadership of the Shin Bet could not be higher.
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