Netanyahu moves to oust Shin Bet chief

Israeli Occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to remove Ronen Bar, head of the Shin Bet security service, escalating tensions over accountability for the October 7 events and ongoing captive negotiations.

A statement from Netanyahu’s office on Sunday confirmed that he would ask his cabinet this week to end Bar’s tenure. The decision follows a series of disputes between the two, including a Shin Bet investigation into allegations that some of Netanyahu’s aides were working to improve Qatar’s image, potentially exposing state secrets or engaging in foreign influence.

The timing of Bar’s removal comes as talks to extend a ceasefire in Gaza, mediated by Qatar, reach a critical juncture. Tensions had already been high between Netanyahu and Bar over negotiations, as well as the handling of security failures that led to the October 7 events.

Netanyahu had recently stripped Bar of his role in overseeing captives' negotiations, appointing a close ally instead. Leaks from the negotiation team had previously suggested that Netanyahu’s actions were hindering efforts to secure more captive releases.

Critics argue that Netanyahu’s decision is part of a broader effort to consolidate power by sidelining those who challenge him. The Movement for Quality Government in "Israel" condemned the move, calling it a “declaration of war on the rule of law.” The group stated that the timing, amid an ongoing investigation linked to Netanyahu’s office, was a “transparent and blatant attempt to torpedo the Qatar-gate investigation and deter gatekeepers.”

Netanyahu, 75, already holds the record as "Israel’s" longest-serving prime minister and leads the most right-wing government in the country’s history. His recent moves, including the dismissal of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and plans to replace military chief Herzi Halevi, have fueled opposition from centrist and left-wing factions seeking to oust him.

Netanyahu has also rejected calls for an official state inquiry into the security failures leading up to October 7. He has argued that such a probe, likely to be led by judiciary members, would be politically motivated and aimed at removing him from power.

A recently completed Shin Bet investigation placed some responsibility for the attack on Netanyahu. It found that his government’s approval of Qatari financial aid to Hamas had enabled the group to strengthen militarily. The report also pointed to tensions stoked by key Netanyahu aides regarding the status of Jerusalem’s holy sites, as well as Netanyahu’s controversial judicial overhaul, which critics say deepened national divisions and signaled weakness to "Israel’s" enemies.