Shin Bet chief rejects Netanyahu’s bid to fire him

Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar has pushed back against "Israeli" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to remove him from his position.

Bar stated that his dismissal is not related to the October 7 events and that he intends to remain in office due to ongoing security challenges.

Read more: Netanyahu moves to oust Shin Bet chief

“My national responsibility compels me to stay in my position in the coming period, given the potential for security escalation and rising tensions,” Bar said in a statement following Netanyahu’s announcement.

He emphasized that he still has critical obligations, including efforts to secure the return of "Israeli" captives held in Gaza, overseeing sensitive investigations, and preparing qualified candidates to eventually replace him.

Bar also accused Netanyahu of prioritizing personal loyalty over the country’s security needs. “The prime minister’s expectation of personal loyalty at the expense of the public interest is entirely unacceptable and contradicts Shin Bet law,” he said.

Netanyahu’s decision to remove Bar follows growing tensions between the two over intelligence failures leading up to the October 7 events, captive negotiations, and an ongoing probe into alleged links between Netanyahu’s aides and Qatar.

Bar’s resistance to Netanyahu’s move adds to the mounting political turmoil in "Israel", where the prime minister has already replaced key security officials, including Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and military chief Herzi Halevi.

The fallout from the October 7 events continues to fuel political divisions, with critics accusing Netanyahu of sidelining those who challenge him while avoiding accountability for security lapses.