Israeli PM seeks to remove Shin Bet chief as tensions explode over the October 7 Hamas attack fallout

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced his intention to dismiss Shin Bet director Ronen Bar, further escalating a bitter power struggle over responsibility for the October 7 Hamas attack. The move has sent political shockwaves through Israel, as Bar and the Shin Bet intelligence agency have been investigating Netanyahu’s close aides over their alleged dealings with Qatar, a key mediator in the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Netanyahu justified his decision by citing “ongoing distrust” with Bar, claiming it had grown over time. However, his critics argue the move is politically motivated and intended to shield himself from scrutiny. Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has already warned Netanyahu that he cannot proceed without legal justification.

Bar, in response, has vowed to remain in his post for now, citing his “personal obligations” to complete sensitive investigations, assist in freeing the remaining hostages in Gaza, and ensure a smooth transition of leadership. He also took a veiled swipe at Netanyahu, stating that demands for personal loyalty from security officials “contradict the public interest.”

The Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security agency, has faced heavy criticism for failing to prevent Hamas’ surprise attack on October 7, 2023, which left 1,200 Israelis dead and led to the ongoing war in Gaza. While the agency recently admitted some responsibility, its internal report pointed fingers at Netanyahu’s government, accusing it of ignoring intelligence warnings and failing to implement security recommendations.

Netanyahu has consistently rejected calls for a formal state commission of inquiry into the attack, instead shifting blame onto the military and intelligence services. Since the war began, several top security officials—including Israel’s defense minister and army chief—have either been fired or pressured to step down. Bar has been one of the last remaining senior figures still in his position.

If Netanyahu succeeds in ousting him, it would allow him to appoint a loyalist as the new Shin Bet chief—potentially delaying or even blocking a full investigation into government failures before the October 7 attack. Netanyahu insists that removing Bar is necessary to help Israel “achieve its war goals and prevent the next disaster.”

His plan requires approval from Israel’s Knesset (parliament), where he is expected to have sufficient support. However, due to the significance of the Shin Bet role, the attorney general must also approve the decision. Legal experts and opposition figures argue that Netanyahu’s motives are questionable, given that the Shin Bet is currently investigating his staff over alleged ties to Qatar.

Reports have surfaced that Netanyahu’s former spokesperson, Eli Feldstein, previously worked for a Doha-based firm that recruited Israeli journalists to produce pro-Qatar content. Additionally, two other top Netanyahu aides, Jonatan Urich and Yisrael Einhorn, were allegedly involved in a campaign to boost Qatar’s global image ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. These revelations have raised serious questions about the government’s connections to the Gulf state, which has played a central role in hostage negotiations with Hamas.

Tensions over the handling of hostage talks have already led Netanyahu to remove Bar from Israel’s negotiation team, replacing him with Cabinet minister Ron Dermer, a known loyalist. Israeli media suggest there have been deep policy rifts between Netanyahu and the Shin Bet-led negotiation team, which had pushed for a hostage deal, while Netanyahu has focused on continuing the war in Gaza.

The Movement for Quality Government in Israel, a leading civil society watchdog, has condemned Netanyahu’s attempt to fire Bar, calling it “a declaration of war on the rule of law.” The group argues that Netanyahu lacks the legal authority to remove Bar, particularly while the Shin Bet is investigating his inner circle.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid has also vowed to fight Bar’s dismissal, calling it a “shameful” political purge aimed at protecting Netanyahu’s personal interests rather than national security.

Since Netanyahu was indicted on corruption charges in 2019, he has frequently lashed out at Israel’s legal and security institutions, claiming to be the target of a “deep state” conspiracy. His attempts to overhaul Israel’s judiciary in 2023 triggered mass protests, as opponents accused him of attempting to weaken democratic checks and balances.

Israeli media have also revealed that Bar was among the top security officials who warned in 2023 that Netanyahu’s internal political crisis was sending a message of weakness to Israel’s enemies. Those warnings, like others before them, went unheeded.

Now, as the political turmoil deepens, Netanyahu’s next move will determine whether this crisis explodes into full-scale political chaos—or whether legal roadblocks will prevent him from tightening his grip on power.