Israel’s domestic intelligence chief, Ronen Bar, announced his resignation on Monday, effective June 15, six weeks after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tried to oust him. After 35 years of service, Bar cited a desire for an orderly transition process, allowing for the appointment of a permanent successor.
The move comes amid a growing political battle between Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition government and critics from within the security establishment and families of hostages in Gaza. Netanyahu had previously expressed loss of confidence in Bar, claiming that trust in the head of the domestic security service was crucial at a time of war.
The controversy sparked protests nationwide, with critics arguing that the government was undermining key state institutions and endangering democracy. The Supreme Court temporarily froze the government’s bid to sack Bar, who claimed Netanyahu wanted to fire him over his refusal to spy on Israeli protesters or disrupt the leader’s corruption trial.
Netanyahu denied these accusations, accusing Bar of lying. The resignation marks a culmination of nearly two years of tension between Netanyahu supporters and elements of the security establishment, exacerbated by failures in preventing Hamas’ 2023 attack, which killed dozens of Israelis and triggered the Gaza war.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israels-shin-bet-chief-announces-resignation-step-down-june-15-israeli-media-2025-04-28