Israel Dismisses Intelligence Chief Amid Controversy
The Israeli government has decided to remove Ronen Bar, the head of the domestic intelligence agency, a move that has sparked significant controversy.
Cabinet Approves Dismissal
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced that the Cabinet unanimously supported his proposal to dismiss Bar. According to The Times of Israel, the Cabinet meeting convened on this matter lasted approximately three and a half hours into the early hours of Friday.
Unprecedented Move and Public Reaction
Netanyahu initially declared his intention to dismiss Bar on Sunday evening, which triggered widespread public demonstrations. Israeli media outlets are reporting this as the first instance in the nation’s history where a government has ousted a Shin Bet director.
Reasons for Dismissal: “Lack of Trust”
Netanyahu cited a “lack of trust” as the primary rationale behind Bar’s dismissal.
Strained Relations and Gaza War Talks
Tensions reportedly existed between Netanyahu and Bar. Netanyahu had previously excluded Bar from the Israeli delegation involved in indirect negotiations with Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, concerning the conflict in Gaza.
Shin Bet Investigation and Netanyahu Policies
A Shin Bet investigation into the security failures that facilitated the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, had reportedly brought criticism to bear on Netanyahu’s policies.
Probe into Alleged Ties with Qatar
Furthermore, Shin Bet is reportedly conducting an investigation into alleged illicit connections between individuals associated with Netanyahu and Qatar.
Qatar’s Role and Concerns over Successor
Qatar is involved in the negotiations with Hamas and is also known to be a supporter of the organization.
Critics within Israel are expressing concern that Netanyahu might appoint a successor to Bar who is personally loyal to him and could potentially halt the ongoing investigation.
Departure Date
Netanyahu’s office stated that Bar is scheduled to vacate his position on April 10, unless a replacement is appointed sooner.
Public Protests
Large-scale protests have erupted in response to Bar’s dismissal. Thousands of demonstrators gathered again on the night of the decision, despite inclement weather conditions.