Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met this evening (Sunday) with Shin Bet head Ronen Bar for an urgent meeting that lasted 14 minutes, during which he informed him that he would bring a proposal to the government to terminate his position.
This is against the backdrop of the distrust that has prevailed between the two for a long time. The discussion on the dismissal of the head of the Shin Bet in the government will take place this Wednesday.
According to a report on Channel 12, the meeting took place after Netanyahu's office contacted Ronen Bar and called him to come urgently. The meeting began at 7:00 PM - when the prime minister informed Bar of his decision.
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Netanyahu wanted Bar to leave his position alone. The reason: Firing him is a relatively complex process. The attorney general announced that she expected Netanyahu to coordinate the decision with her. However, Netanyahu decided that if Bar did not do it himself, he would lead the process.
Prime Minister Netanyahu said after his office's announcement, in a video he published: "Citizens of Israel, we are in the midst of a war for our very existence - a war on seven fronts. At all times, but especially in such an existential war, the Prime Minister must have full confidence in the head of the Shin Bet.".
But unfortunately, the situation is the opposite – I do not have such trust. I have a continuing distrust in the head of the Shin Bet. A distrust that has grown over time. Due to this continuing distrust, I decided this week to bring to the government a proposal for a resolution to terminate the position of the head of the Shin Bet.
"And I want to make it clear - I am full of appreciation for the women and men of the Shin Bet. They do dedicated and important work for the security of us all. As the prime minister in charge of the Shin Bet, I am certain that this step is necessary for the rehabilitation of the organization, for achieving all of our war goals, and for preventing the next disaster.".
Kan News reported that although the legal advisor to the government made it clear that it was impossible to begin a dismissal process without a proper process that would be examined by legal advice, and for business reasons, no such consultation was conducted and she was surprised by the announcement. Also, in a statement, Rabbi Meara clarified that the government has the authority to dismiss the head of the Shin Bet, but the reasons must be business-related and in a proper process.
According to reports, Netanyahu has even named a replacement for Bar - his deputy M., who has been added to the new negotiating team for phase two of the hostage deal, as one of the influential figures. The team is headed by Minister Ron Dermer, who is very close to the prime minister.
M. is a kippah-wearer who grew up in religious Zionism and came from a religious kibbutz. The son of a bereaved family, an Arabist and a field worker who was supposed to end his term near the start of the war, but at the request of the Prime Minister, he extended his term until the beginning of the year.
The coalition responded with satisfaction to the Prime Minister's decision.
Minister of Education Yoav Kish He said: "After the failure on the evening of October 7th and at the end of the investigations, and especially when the trust between the prime minister and the head of the Shin Bet was damaged, the head of the Shin Bet should end his position. It would have been better if he had resigned on his own initiative, since that didn't happen, the prime minister is right in deciding to have him fired. On Wednesday, I will support the decision to end Ronen Bar's position.".
Minister of Communications Shlomo KaraJ: "The dismissal of the head of the Shin Bet, Ronen Bar, is the order of the day – an existential and immediate necessity. The head of the State of Israel's secret service who turned himself into a dictator with the backing of the Attorney General. Bar is one of the main people responsible for the October 7th disaster, and now he continues to undermine Israel's security and erode democracy under the guise of security authority. His dismissal is a vital step to restoring public trust and stopping the erosion of the foundations of Israeli democracy. At the upcoming government meeting – I will support his dismissal and the dismissal of the Attorney General with all my strength.".
Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich': "Better late than never. Replacing the head of the Shin Bet is a necessary and necessary step. It would have been appropriate for the head of the Shin Bet to take real responsibility and resign on his own initiative more than a year ago, saving the need for his dismissal. After such a fundamental failure as the one that occurred on Simchat Torah, responsibility requires that the position be vacated long ago.".
""His clinging to the chair and the reasons given for it publicly and in briefings are impudence, arrogance, and the most anti-democratic thing that can be.".
""Furthermore, in recent months, fundamental differences of opinion have emerged between him and the political echelon that the time will come to address, another reason why he cannot remain in his position. At the same time, there is no doubt that the head of the Shin Bet has many rights, and alongside the criticism, the people of Israel are grateful to him for decades of dedicated service to the security of the state.".
Minister of Transport Miri Regev: ""The Prime Minister's decision to dismiss the head of the Shin Bet is necessary and logical under the existing circumstances. Prime Minister Netanyahu acted in accordance with the authority established by law, by virtue of his role and responsibility. Israel's security comes first and a lack of trust between the head of the Shin Bet and the Prime Minister harms the security of Israeli citizens. I intend to support the Prime Minister's decision at the upcoming government meeting.".
Former Minister of Agriculture and Head of the Shin Bet Avi Dichter"When the prime minister reaches a state of distrust in the head of the Shin Bet, one of two things must happen: the head of the Shin Bet resigns or the prime minister is dismissed. This is true in normal times and even more so in times of war.".
Minister of Economy Nir Barkat"Israel's security requires full trust between the Prime Minister and the head of the Shin Bet. When the Prime Minister's trust in the head of the Shin Bet is violated, his replacement is required. I call on the opposition and other parties not to turn this issue into a political matter.".
Chairman of Otzma Yehudit, MK Itamar Ben Gvir, responded: "I congratulate the Prime Minister on the decision to fire the head of the Shin Bet. This is something I have been demanding for a long time, and better late than never. There is no place in a democratic state for officials who conduct themselves politically against me and against elected officials. The right must learn from President Trump to eradicate the Deep State, to conduct itself like a democracy, and to restore public trust in the security and legal bodies in the State of Israel.".
On the other hand, the opposition has been attacking the Prime Minister. The chairman of the Democratic Party, Yair Golan, He said: "Netanyahu declared war on the State of Israel.".
Chairman of the State Camp Benny Gantz He lashed out: "The firing of the head of the Shin Bet is a direct violation of the state's security and the dismantling of unity in Israeli society for political and personal reasons.".
MK Simcha Rothman He addressed the controversy surrounding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to dismiss Shin Bet head Ronen Bar, and attacked the intervention of the legal advisor to the government in the affair.
He said that the government is entitled to fire the head of the Shin Bet, and there is no legal source for the legal advisor's demand for consultation on the matter. He emphasized that the Knesset can express no confidence in the government, and the public is entitled to replace its elected officials in democratic elections, but neither the legal advisor nor the Shin Bet head can dismiss a government.
Rothman also criticized the High Court of Justice and the media, claiming that "the High Court of Justice cannot replace the people, and media mouthpieces mobilized for the head of a secret police force are not a characteristic of democracy.".
He concluded his remarks with a stinging remark: "If any of these points are unclear to you, there's no point in running to the High Court - you should run to your citizenship teacher and ask for your money back.".
