Israel’s cabinet officially removed Ronen Bar from his position on Thursday. Getty Images
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has fired Ronen Bar, the head of the nation’s security service, blaming him for the agency’s failure to prevent the deadly Hamas attack on 7 October 2023. The decision, approved by Israel’s cabinet on Thursday, has fueled public outrage and added to the growing anti-government protests in Jerusalem.
Netanyahu accused Bar of losing his trust, saying their relationship had deteriorated over time. “The ongoing distrust has only grown,” Netanyahu stated in a video message. Bar, who was appointed in October 2021 for a five-year term as the Shin Bet chief, will officially leave his post on 20 April.
The decision has been met with backlash. Thousands of Israelis, already protesting against the government’s renewed Gaza offensive, took to the streets in anger. Demonstrators accused Netanyahu of using Bar as a scapegoat to cover up the government’s own failures.
Israel’s renewed military operation in Gaza has intensified since Tuesday, ending a fragile two-month truce. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claim they are targeting Hamas sites. However, the Hamas-run health ministry reports that over 48,500 Palestinians have been killed since the war began.
Bar described his dismissal as politically driven. He believes Netanyahu’s decision is an attempt to shift blame. Meanwhile, Israel’s Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, a vocal critic of Netanyahu, has challenged the legality of Bar’s firing. She insists Bar cannot be removed until the matter is legally reviewed. Baharav-Miara herself is also facing dismissal proceedings, raising further political tensions.
In a letter to his cabinet, Netanyahu justified the decision by claiming a “persistent loss of professional and personal trust” with Bar. He referenced the agency’s failure to prevent the 7 October Hamas attacks, which left about 1,200 Israelis dead and 251 others taken hostage.
Netanyahu’s move has widened the political divide in Israel. Critics argue that removing Bar will weaken the Shin Bet, Israel’s domestic intelligence agency, which plays a crucial role in the war effort. The agency, known for its secretive operations, is a key force in combating Hamas and other threats.
As tensions rise, Netanyahu’s leadership faces mounting criticism. Many Israelis blame his government for the worsening conflict and rising casualties. The protests reflect growing public frustration with the handling of the war and the government’s internal power struggles.
