Israel's intel chief leaves post after Netanyahu’s loss of confidence

The Israeli government has approved the dismissal of Ronen Bar, the head of Shin Bet, Israel’s domestic intelligence agency, despite widespread protests.

This decision follows a week after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed a loss of confidence in Bar, with protests continuing for three days against the firing.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s office, the government unanimously backed Netanyahu’s proposal to end Bar’s tenure as Shin Bet director, Caliber.Az reports, citing international media sources.

Bar will remain in his position until a successor is appointed, or by 10 April at the latest.

Bar’s term was initially set to end next year, and he was appointed during the period when Netanyahu was briefly out of power from June 2021 to December 2022. Relations between Netanyahu and Bar had been tense even before the deadly Hamas attack on 7 October 2023, which ignited the ongoing war in Gaza. Tensions escalated following the release of an internal Shin Bet report on 4 March that acknowledged the agency’s failure in preventing the Hamas attack while criticizing the government’s “policy of quiet” that allowed Hamas to grow militarily.

Shin Bet, with its extensive powers, is also investigating Netanyahu’s aides over allegations of national security breaches, including leaking classified information to foreign media and accepting money from Qatar, which has financially supported Hamas.

The 75-year-old Netanyahu, currently involved in a corruption trial, is also facing the prospect of a potential jail sentence. Despite his legal troubles, Netanyahu continues to serve as Israel’s prime minister, having held the position for 17 years in total.

Bar had already hinted at stepping down voluntarily in light of Shin Bet’s failure, taking responsibility for the agency’s shortcomings. In response to his dismissal, Bar sent a letter to ministers, denouncing the decision as being driven by "conflicts of interest" and motivated by "extraneous and unacceptable reasons."

Meanwhile, protests against Bar’s firing have merged with demonstrations by those opposing the resumption of fighting in Gaza, which broke a two-month ceasefire. This move comes while 59 Israeli hostages remain held in Palestinian territory.

By Tamilla Hasanova