In recordings revealed this evening (Sunday) by Amit Segal on Channel 12, ousted Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar says that he intends to take responsibility and leave his position soon.
This is a conversation that took place with a bereaved father who wondered why Bar was clinging to the "horns of the altar" and not leaving his position.
In a candid conversation with a bereaved father, Bar flattens his worldview regarding taking responsibility, deals with the accusations, and describes in detail the dilemmas that accompany his decision to soon step down from his position.
""Everyone, certainly and certainly anyone who declared, even before seeing an investigation of themselves, and the investigation also confirmed this to me, that he takes responsibility, should be given at least the opportunity to resign and exercise responsibility. And that opportunity was not given to me," says Bar in the conversation.
Bar clarifies his view on the essence of taking responsibility: "The meaning of taking responsibility is resignation, I tell you unequivocally, resignation. And not two days before the end of the position, which is just a symbolic resignation.".
He explains the complexity of his situation: "When resigning, you know, in these positions we always weigh competing values. And I really believe in the value of taking responsibility, I actually think that without taking responsibility, you have no leadership. And I'm in a daily dilemma regarding this, in terms of the security of citizens, what is the exact timing that is right for me to do it.".
In response to the bereaved father's criticism of the acute crisis that arose after his dismissal by the Prime Minister, Bar responds: "Yes, first of all I know that, it was not easy for me to see the pictures from the courtroom either, I wasn't there but I saw them. I am in a very, very complex position, first of all because I can't say what I think, and the mechanisms that I thought were right to both investigate and bring the truth to light, are currently not possible.".
He adds and clarifies his personal position: "That's not why I'm staying, I'm not the one who will decide this, and I also meant every word and intended to end my position. But I feel uncomfortable as if I'm defending my opinion. I just want to tell you that this is perhaps the thing that suits me most of all. I have no desire to continue in the position. I have the feeling that if they were familiar with the details, even if they didn't agree with my path right now, and it's not long-term, then they would at least understand what deep concern it comes from, deep, real concern. And there is no political or ideological issue here, nothing, absolutely nothing.".
In the conversation, Bar also talks about the price he and his family pay for his words.
""I'm paying my price. The girl can't go to school, she's forced to listen to provocations that are now coming with authority and power, which are essentially the opposite of what was on the night of October 7. But I, the order of priorities that I've always had, 35 years in security, I certainly won't smash it in the last weeks of my role. It's the state, the organization. Then it's me.".
At the end of the conversation, Bar promises: "I hear what you're saying, it doesn't cross my mind. I hear it with great pain. And I will really try to put an end to this story.".
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