By Juliet Aliwo .
Israel’s domestic spy chief, Ronen Bar, has alleged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attempted to fire him for refusing to carry out illegal operations aimed at protecting Netanyahu’s personal and political interests.
In a Supreme Court affidavit filed Monday, Bar, head of the Shin Bet, claimed Netanyahu sought his dismissal after he rejected requests to act against anti-government protestors and intervene in the prime minister’s ongoing corruption trial.
The court had previously suspended Netanyahu’s decision to dismiss Bar, pending an investigation, sparking widespread protests and accusations of democratic erosion.
Netanyahu cited a “breakdown of trust” following the October 2023 Hamas attack that triggered the Gaza war as the reason for Bar’s dismissal. However, Bar’s affidavit details alleged incidents between November 2024 and February 2025.
Bar stated Netanyahu repeatedly pressured Shin Bet to target anti-government demonstrators, particularly focusing on their financial backers. He also claimed he refused to authorize a security request designed to exempt Netanyahu from testifying in his corruption trial, where he faces bribery, fraud, and breach of trust charges.
Netanyahu’s office vehemently denied Bar’s allegations, labeling the affidavit “full of lies” and accusing Bar of a “miserable failure” during the Hamas attack. The dispute has intensified political tensions in Israel, further dividing the nation.
Israeli Spy Chief Accuses Netanyahu of Illegal Orders, Dismissal Attempt
