Ronen Bar, the head of Israel’s domestic security agency Shin Bet, announced his resignation effective June 15, 2025. This decision follows a period of escalating tensions with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had previously attempted to dismiss Bar, citing a loss of trust. Bar contested the dismissal, and the Israeli Supreme Court temporarily halted the government’s decision, leading to widespread protests.
Bar accused Netanyahu of attempting to politicize the Shin Bet by demanding personal loyalty and ordering surveillance on anti-government protesters. He also suggested that his ousting was motivated by a desire to impede investigations into the events leading up to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack and ongoing corruption charges against Netanyahu. Netanyahu denied these allegations, calling them false.
The controversy surrounding Bar’s dismissal is part of a broader political crisis in Israel, with critics accusing Netanyahu’s government of undermining democratic institutions. The Israeli parliament recently approved a law granting politicians more power over judicial appointments, sparking mass demonstrations and concerns about an autocratic shift in governance.
Source: Al Jazeera
