Fired Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar Accuses Netanyahu of Demanding Personal Loyalty
Ronen Bar, former head of Israel’s Shin Bet, accused Prime Minister Netanyahu of demanding personal loyalty and targeting protesters in a sworn statement to the Supreme Court, which Netanyahu's office dismissed as lies. Bar's claims intensified political unrest, leading to widespread protests and concerns about democratic erosion amid Israel's ongoing crisis.
hassan benyoub 
Jerusalem, Israel – Ronen Bar, the recently sacked head of Israel’s Shin Bet security agency, has accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of demanding personal loyalty in a sworn statement to the Supreme Court on April 21, 2025. The allegations, which Netanyahu’s office dismissed as “full of lies,” have intensified a political and legal crisis in Israel, fueling mass protests and opposition claims of autocratic overreach.
Bar’s Explosive Allegations
In an 11-page affidavit, Bar claimed that Netanyahu explicitly demanded personal loyalty, expecting him to prioritize the Prime Minister’s directives over the Supreme Court in a potential constitutional crisis. Bar also accused Netanyahu of ordering Shin Bet to target Israeli citizens protesting against the government, focusing on monitoring the financial backers of the demonstrations. Additionally, Bar alleged that Netanyahu sought to delay his corruption trial testimony by pressuring him to sign off on postponements and excluded him from hostage negotiations with Hamas, a move Bar said jeopardized ceasefire talks.
Netanyahu’s Defense and October 7 Controversy
Netanyahu’s office refuted Bar’s claims, branding them as “lies” and accusing him of “miserably failing” during the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 Israelis. Netanyahu reiterated that Bar’s failure to prevent the attack justified his dismissal. However, Bar countered that Shin Bet had issued alerts about “unusual preparations” by Hamas at 3:00 AM that day, and by 4:30 AM, he had personally ensured the Prime Minister’s military advisor was informed. “Nothing was hidden from the security apparatus or the Prime Minister that night,” Bar stated, as reported in The Guardian.
Supreme Court Ruling and Public Backlash
The controversy erupted after Netanyahu’s government announced Bar’s dismissal, prompting widespread outrage and protests across Israel. The opposition, led by Yair Lapid, decried the move as a sign of autocratic drift, with Lapid stating on X, “This statement proves Netanyahu is dangerous for Israel’s security.” The Supreme Court, on April 8, 2025, upheld its initial decision to suspend Bar’s dismissal, allowing him to remain in his role pending further rulings while permitting the government to interview potential successors without finalizing a replacement, according to JNS.org.
Broader Implications
Bar’s allegations highlight deep tensions between Netanyahu and Israel’s security establishment, particularly following the October 7 attack, for which Netanyahu has faced criticism for not accepting responsibility, as noted in Haaretz. The accusations of targeting protesters and meddling in legal proceedings further fuel concerns about democratic erosion. Bar concluded his statement by announcing plans to resign soon, signaling ongoing instability within Israel’s leadership amid its conflict with Hamas.
Public and Political Reactions
The saga has galvanized public discourse, with protests erupting across Israel and social media platforms like X reflecting widespread discontent. The opposition and Attorney General have rallied behind Bar, viewing his dismissal as a power grab by Netanyahu. As the legal battle unfolds, the crisis underscores the fragile balance between security and democratic governance in Israel.
Stay tuned for updates on Israel’s political crisis and Shin Bet leadership changes.
