In a surprise move, the Israeli government has formally fired Ronen Bar, head of the Shin Bet domestic intelligence agency amid increasing rifts with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
A statement in Netanyahu ‘s office said that the government had united to verify the decision to crush office under Bar, whose term that was basically scheduled to expire in 2026. The prime minister mentioned an “an ongoing lack of trust” the main reason for the dismissal.
Bar, who was appointed in October 2021 under the old administration, had been in a tough spot with Netanyahu even pre-dating the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack leading to the current Gaza conflict. Tensions spiked earlier this month when Shim Bet published an internal report that admitted intelligence shortcomings in hindering the Hamas attack. The report concluded that Israel’s strategy of maintaining “quiet’ had allowed Hamas to build up its military forces without interruption. 
Although Bar had earlier hinted at quitting to shoulder blame for the intelligence failures, Netanyahu’s swift move to fire him prompted an outcry from political foes and security specialists. But critics say the move is political and could upend the country’s intelligence work.
The firing of a Shin Bet chief mid-term is unusual and reflects the growing split in Israel’s political and security establishment as the country faces persistent conflict and divisions within.
