In an effort to diffuse a growing conflict with Benjamin Netanyahu, the director of Israel’s internal intelligence agency announced his resignation in June.
Using a “ongoing distrust” in the Shin Bet head as justification, the Israeli prime minister said last month that he intended to remove Ronen Bar. But the Supreme Court of the nation stopped the action.
Mr. Bar has since announced that he will formally leave his position on June 15th, citing his agency’s inability to issue a warning about the Hamas assault on October 7, 2023.
“After years on many fronts, one night, on the southern front, the skies came down,” he said, making the revelation at a memorial service for deceased Shin Bet troops.
“Every system failed. Additionally, the Shin Bet did not issue a warning.
According to Mr. Bar, he would remain in his position until June “to allow for a professional handover and an orderly process of appointing a permanent successor.”
Among Shin Bet’s duties are government official security and counterterrorism.
Since the agency is looking into connections between the leader’s office and Qatar, the Israeli PM’s proposal to fire Mr. Bar caused a stir in Israel.
Mr. Netanyahu disputes the accusations made by critics that the firing was intended to sabotage the investigation.
Israel’s Supreme Court halted Mr. Bar’s dismissal and urged the parties to come to an agreement.
