The Israeli political landscape, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet unanimously voted to dismiss Ronen Bar, the head of the Shin Bet security agency, in the early hours of Friday morning. This marks the first time in ‘Israel’s’ history that a sitting chief of the domestic security agency has been fired. Bar’s official departure is set for April 10, although he may leave sooner if a successor is appointed.
Netanyahu justified the decision by expressing a loss of confidence in Bar, particularly in relation to the ongoing investigation into the events of October 7. The Prime Minister has labeled Bar as “soft” and unsuitable for leading the agency’s recovery efforts. He claimed that Bar’s removal from negotiations regarding hostages led to a decrease in leaks and improved outcomes, despite the fact that a ceasefire deal with Hamas had been reached weeks prior to Bar’s ousting.
In a fiery response, Bar accused Netanyahu of making politically motivated claims aimed at undermining the Shin Bet. In a letter to the cabinet, he argued that the dismissal was intended to weaken the agency and disrupt its operations, ultimately jeopardizing national security. He also drew a connection between his termination and the ongoing investigation into Qatar’s influence within Israel’s political sphere, calling for a formal inquiry into the failures surrounding the October 7 incident.
Netanyahu’s office retaliated, with an anonymous official—believed to be the Prime Minister himself—asserting that Bar had prior knowledge of the October 7 operation but failed to act accordingly, a claim Bar has vehemently denied. Opposition leaders have condemned the dismissal as a blatant attempt to obstruct the ongoing Qatar investigation and to consolidate political control over security institutions.
The decision has ignited widespread public outrage, leading to mass protests across ‘Israel’. Thousands gathered outside Netanyahu’s office, chanting, “We will never give up,” while clashes with police escalated, resulting in the use of water cannons and forceful removals of demonstrators blocking roads.
A recent Channel 12 poll revealed that 51% of Israelis oppose Bar’s dismissal, while 46% express greater trust in him than in Netanyahu. Opposition figures have been vocal in their criticism; Benny Gantz labeled the dismissal a “mark of Cain” on the ministers who supported it, while Yair Lapid alleged it was an attempt to obstruct the Qatar investigation.
Adding to the turmoil, the government is reportedly advancing efforts to remove Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, who opposed Bar’s dismissal and warned Netanyahu that he lacked the legal authority to fire him without proper justification. A vote on her potential removal could occur as early as Sunday.
As ‘Israel’ continues its military aggression on Gaza—facing widespread international condemnation—and persists in violating ceasefires in Lebanon, the internal fractures within the nation are deepening.
Netanyahu’s decision to fire Ronen Bar has exacerbated political and security tensions, raising fears of internal collapse amidst ongoing conflicts on multiple fronts.
Source: Agencies (edited by Al-Manar English Website)
