In a recent legal confrontation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vehemently denied allegations made by Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, asserting that claims of his dismissal being politically motivated are “total lies.” Netanyahu’s rebuttal, detailed in a sworn affidavit to the High Court of Justice, includes excerpts from meetings with Bar in 2023 and 2024, aiming to refute accusations of pressuring the security chief to delay his criminal trial testimony or to use the agency against anti-government protesters.
While Netanyahu categorically denies most of Bar’s claims, he notably does not directly refute the assertion that he instructed Bar to prioritize the prime minister’s directives over the Supreme Court during a potential constitutional crisis. Instead, Netanyahu emphasizes Bar’s “massive and direct responsibility” for the failure to prevent the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack, labeling it a “historic failure.”
Bar, in his own affidavit, contends that his dismissal stemmed from his refusal to compromise the agency’s independence and his authorization of investigations into Netanyahu’s associates. He accuses the prime minister of attempting to politicize the Shin Bet for personal gain.
This dispute has intensified scrutiny of Netanyahu’s leadership, especially amid ongoing corruption trials and previous high-profile resignations within Israel’s security establishment. Bar’s resignation, effective June 15, 2025, follows a Supreme Court injunction that temporarily blocked his dismissal, highlighting the ongoing tensions between the executive branch and judicial oversight in Israel.
The High Court’s forthcoming decision on the legality of Bar’s dismissal is poised to have significant implications for the balance of power between Israel’s political leadership and its security institutions.
