Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed Ronen Bar, the head of the Shin Bet, Israel’s domestic security service, following its failure to anticipate the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack. Netanyahu cited a “persistent loss of professional and personal trust” between the two men, especially after the events of October 7, and stated that this decision was finalized due to ongoing tensions.
This marks the first time in Israel’s history that a prime minister has fired the head of the Shin Bet. The dismissal has sparked significant controversy, with Bar accusing the move of being politically motivated, particularly in the context of ongoing investigations into Netanyahu’s office over alleged ties to Qatar.
Opposition parties and legal figures have criticized the decision, suggesting it could undermine national security and calling it a conflict of interest. However, Netanyahu’s government denies the allegations and insists that the dismissal is based on professional concerns.