Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans Sunday to remove Ronen Bar, the head of Israel's powerful Shin Bet domestic security agency, citing an "ongoing and growing lack of trust." The unprecedented move comes as Shin Bet investigates Netanyahu's own aides over alleged financial ties to Qatar.
Netanyahu stated, "I believe this step is critical for rehabilitating the organization, achieving the objectives of the war and preventing the next catastrophe." His decision marks the first time a sitting Israeli prime minister has sought to dismiss a Shin Bet chief, raising concerns over political interference in the security agency.
Bar, who has led Shin Bet since 2021, responded defiantly. He accused Netanyahu of expecting "personal loyalty to him" and said such demands violate "both the public interest and the laws and values under which his agency operates." Bar emphasized he intends to complete "several sensitive investigations" and work to secure the release of remaining Israeli hostages before offering his resignation.
The move triggered immediate backlash. Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara warned Netanyahu in a letter Sunday that firing Bar would be "illegal" and represents a conflict of interest due to the ongoing investigation into Netanyahu's advisers. Opposition leader Yair Lapid announced that his Yesh Atid party would file a lawsuit to block the dismissal.
Several protest groups also called for demonstrations this week. David Horovitz, founding editor of the Times of Israel, described Netanyahu's attempt to fire Bar as part of an effort to tighten "his personal control of Israel," writing that it revives the political crisis sparked by Netanyahu's judicial overhaul proposals last year.
The Shin Bet launched an inquiry several weeks ago, with attorney general approval, into allegations that three of Netanyahu's aides received payments from Qatar to improve the Gulf state's image in Israel. Dubbed "Qatar-Gate" in Israeli media, the investigation scrutinizes financial transfers during the Israel-Hamas conflict. Netanyahu's 2018 decision to permit Qatari funds to flow into Gaza for humanitarian aid has come under renewed criticism following Hamas' October 7 attack, with Shin Bet determining some of the money bolstered Hamas' military build-up.
Relations between Netanyahu and Bar have deteriorated over recent months. Netanyahu removed Bar from indirect negotiations with Hamas over hostage releases. Bar, in contrast, publicly accepted responsibility for intelligence failures leading up to the October 7 attacks and has called for a national commission of inquiry-a proposal Netanyahu has blocked, arguing it would be politically biased.
Behind the scenes, Netanyahu has reportedly pressured Bar to resign for weeks. Bar refused, telling the prime minister he could fire him if desired. Netanyahu's allies in the media have also attacked Bar, accusing him of undermining the prime minister for political reasons.
Netanyahu's dismissal push mirrors other moves to consolidate control. He has begun taking steps to fire Israel's attorney general, who is overseeing his trial on bribery, fraud, and breach of trust charges. Netanyahu's aides have cited inspiration from former President Donald Trump's efforts to replace key officials, referring to Trump's attempts to purge the U.S. "deep state."
Historically, Shin Bet has operated as an apolitical agency tasked with safeguarding Israel's democratic institutions. While two previous Shin Bet chiefs resigned-most notably after Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin's assassination in 1995-none have been fired.
