- Netanyahu cites distrust in security chief amid Hamas attack probes
- Shin Bet leader vows to complete sensitive investigations first
- Legal experts warn of constitutional crisis over dismissal attempt
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has escalated a high-stakes confrontation with the nation’s security apparatus by initiating proceedings to remove Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar. The move comes as Israel’s domestic intelligence service investigates Netanyahu’s inner circle over alleged ties to Qatari influence campaigns. Analysts suggest this marks the most severe government-security sector rift since the 2023 Hamas attack that killed 1,200 Israelis.
The Shin Bet’s recent internal review acknowledged institutional failures preceding October’s surprise assault but emphasized that political leaders ignored repeated warnings about Hamas’ military buildup. Security experts note parallels to Egypt’s 2011 intelligence breakdowns during the Arab Spring, where political interference weakened threat assessments. Bar’s planned departure could delay critical hostage negotiations and compromise ongoing counterterrorism operations targeting Palestinian Islamic Jihad cells in the West Bank.
Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has demanded Netanyahu provide legal justification for Bar’s dismissal, citing constitutional concerns about executive overreach. The prime minister’s office claims the security chief’s removal is essential to “restore operational cohesion,” though opposition lawmakers accuse Netanyahu of purging critics ahead of potential war crime investigations. Recent polls show 63% of Israelis distrust the government’s handling of postwar accountability measures.
Netanyahu’s push follows the abrupt termination of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in March and aligns with his broader campaign to install loyalists across security agencies. The Shin Bet director’s exit would leave Mossad Chief David Barnea as the sole pre-October 7 security leader still in office. Regional analysts warn the shakeup could embolden Hezbollah, which has intensified cross-border attacks since Israel’s political turmoil became public.
The prime minister’s allies argue that Bar overstepped his mandate by investigating Netanyahu’s staff instead of focusing on Hamas prevention. However, leaked Shin Bet documents reveal the agency tracked Qatari payments to Israeli media figures as early as 2021 – transactions allegedly facilitated by three current Netanyahu aides. This development complicates Israel’s reliance on Qatar as a mediator in Gaza ceasefire talks.
With the Knesset likely to approve Bar’s dismissal, civil society groups are preparing Supreme Court challenges citing conflict of interest laws. The Movement for Quality Government notes that 78% of security chief removals since 2000 occurred without judicial review, creating what legal scholars call a “dangerous precedent for democratic oversight.” International observers fear the crisis could delay $15 billion in planned U.S. military aid tied to Israel’s judicial reform commitments.
