Ronen Bar’s tenure will conclude on April 10 or upon the appointment of his successor, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.
The Israeli cabinet has authorized the removal of the head of the domestic security agency, aligning with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s contentious plan to remove the intelligence chief due to a lack of confidence.
Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, who has been in charge of the internal security service since 2021, will step down on April 10 or immediately upon the appointment of his permanent successor, the Prime Minister’s Office announced on Friday.
Bar did not participate in the cabinet discussion about his position.
In a letter distributed by Shin Bet, Bar alleged that the government’s decision was driven by “improper considerations” and “personal and institutional conflicts of interest of the highest order”.
The action follows Netanyahu’s statement on Sunday that he would present a vote on Bar’s dismissal to the cabinet due to the ongoing mistrust of the security official.
Netanyahu and Bar have been in conflict for months, amid disputes over a bribery probe targeting the prime minister’s office and accusations about the failure to prevent Hamas’s October 7, 2023 assaults.
Bar claimed in his letter that his dismissal aimed to obstruct the “pursuit of truth” regarding the events leading up to October 7.
This month, Shin Bet released a report acknowledging its failure to stop Hamas while criticizing Netanyahu for aiding in the conditions for the attacks.
Netanyahu’s initiative to oust the security chief met with criticism from opposition parties and reignited protests by those opposing his right-wing government.
On Thursday, police used water cannons and made at least 12 arrests during confrontations with demonstrators in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, who has been in charge of the internal security service since 2021, will step down on April 10 or immediately upon the appointment of his permanent successor, the Prime Minister’s Office announced on Friday.
Bar did not participate in the cabinet discussion about his position.
In a letter distributed by Shin Bet, Bar alleged that the government’s decision was driven by “improper considerations” and “personal and institutional conflicts of interest of the highest order”.
The action follows Netanyahu’s statement on Sunday that he would present a vote on Bar’s dismissal to the cabinet due to the ongoing mistrust of the security official.
Netanyahu and Bar have been in conflict for months, amid disputes over a bribery probe targeting the prime minister’s office and accusations about the failure to prevent Hamas’s October 7, 2023 assaults.
Bar claimed in his letter that his dismissal aimed to obstruct the “pursuit of truth” regarding the events leading up to October 7.
This month, Shin Bet released a report acknowledging its failure to stop Hamas while criticizing Netanyahu for aiding in the conditions for the attacks.
Netanyahu’s initiative to oust the security chief met with criticism from opposition parties and reignited protests by those opposing his right-wing government.
On Thursday, police used water cannons and made at least 12 arrests during confrontations with demonstrators in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
