Israel's dismissed Shin Bet head accuses Netanyahu of being a suspect

Screaming Retorts and Sworn Statements in Israel's High-Stakes Power Struggle

Weeks after being booted from power but still holding office, Ronen Bar, the head honcho of Israel’s internal security services, retaliates against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In a fiery affidavit, Bar fingers Netanyahu for seeking his personal loyalty, according to a statement released on April 21, 2025. This latest round in the enthralling legal-political battle between Israel's Premier and its Shin Bet head has sent shockwaves throughout the land, causing a ruckus among a large swath of public opinion.

In his 11-page document, Bar asserts that Netanyahu's expectation of his loyalty surpassed the constitutional crisis limits, ensuring obedience over the Supreme Court. Bar also emphatically denies the Prime Minister's charges that Shin Bet kept the government in the dark during the October 7, 2023 attack. In stark contrast, Benjamin Netanyahu maintained that Bar had mismanaged his duties dreadfully, a failing he believes justifiable for Bar's termination.

At 3 a.m. on October 7, 2023, all security agencies received an alert about "strange preparations" and "potential offensive intentions" by Hamas, per Shin Bet. Bar reveals how he reached the internal security headquarters at 4:30 a.m., two hours before Hamas' attack on Israeli soil, and ordered his military advisor to be informed of the situation. "That fateful night, nothing was kept hidden from the security apparatus or the Prime Minister", he stresses.

Citing a Fiasco of Falsehoods, According to Netanyahu

Bar's affidavit also brims with accusations against Netanyahu:

Loyalty Demands: Netanyahu allegedly asked Bar to exercise Shin Bet's authority against Israeli citizens participating in protests against the government, with a specific focus on tracking protest funding sources.
Legal Opinion Requests: Media reports affirm that Netanyahu sought Bar's signature to put off his court testimony in a corruption trial, a request Bar flatly refused.
Hostage Negotiations: Netanyahu is accused of sidelining Bar during negotiations aimed at releasing hostages, an action Bar claims jeopardized subsequent discussions to establish a ceasefire with Hamas.

In response, Netanyahu struck back on April 21, dismissing "statements overflowing with lies" in a statement from his team.

On April 8, 2025, the Israeli Supreme Court made headlines as it prolonged its initial decision to delay Bar's dismissal. The court echoed its verdict after reviewing five appeals, opting to let Bar continue in his role while awaiting a final choice. With the appeals heard, Bar declared that his resignation date will soon be announced.

Court Intervention and Compromise

The court's decision to suspend Bar's dismissal on April 9, 2025, stands as a significant development amid the legal-political standoff between Bar and Netanyahu. The court's intervention underscores its commitment to uphold legal procedures and maintain stability during shifting leadership appointments and dismissals.

Significance and Repercussions

This saga plays out against a broader backdrop of Israeli political strife, encompassing protests against proposed judicial reforms that critics characterize as dangerous encroachments on democratic checks and balances. The politicization of the Shin Bet and its association with the executive branch adds fuel to the fire, raising questions about governance, accountability, and the rule of law in Israel[1][2][3][4][5].

[1] Source: Times of Israel[2] Source: Haaretz[3] Source: Arutz Sheva[4] Source: Ynet News[5] Source: Jerusalem Post

"Despite his dismissal, Ronen Bar, former head of Israel's internal security services, has retaliated against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, citing the latter's demands for personal loyalty and Mismanaging his duties as grounds for termination, as stated in his affidavit in 2025."
"In his affidavit, Bar accused Netanyahu of seeking Shin Bet's authority to monitor Israeli citizens participating in political protests, particularly those funding such protests."
"Media reports also confirmed that Netanyahu requested Bar's signature to postpone his court testimony in a corruption trial, a request that Bar flatly refused."
"Bar further claimed that Netanyahu sidelined him during hostage negotiations, an action that allegedly jeopardized subsequent discussions to establish a ceasefire with Hamas, as reported in his affidavit."
"This ongoing political struggle between Netanyahu and Bar unfolds against a broader backdrop of Israeli political strife, particularly in relation to proposed judicial reforms and governance concerns, as covered by various general news and political sources such as Times of Israel, Haaretz, Arutz Sheva, Ynet News, and Jerusalem Post."