Bad news came from the Israeli government to Ronen Bar, the Director of the Israeli Internal Intelligence Agency Shin Bet.

A statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office announced that the proposal by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to remove Bar from office was unanimously accepted by the government, stating, “The government unanimously approved Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s proposal to terminate the tenure of Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar. Bar’s tenure will end on April 10, 2025, or when a permanent Shin Bet director is appointed (whichever comes first).” RONEN BAR: I AM BEING REMOVED BASED ON UNFOUNDED ACCUSATIONS

In a letter sent to the ministers who will vote on his removal, Bar expressed that the government meeting where his removal will be voted on, which he declined to attend when invited, is contrary to Israeli laws. Refuting the claim of a lack of trust between himself and the Prime Minister, which was cited as the reason for his removal, Bar remarked, “Under my leadership, there has been intense and effective collaboration between Shin Bet and the Prime Minister.” Bar emphasized that the Shin Bet director should be loyal to the people rather than the Prime Minister, stating, “Netanyahu could not support the reasons he put forward for my removal. Despite my request, no concrete examples were presented.” Bar argued that Netanyahu’s insistence on their lack of trust was not based on valid grounds but rather aimed at continuing ceasefire negotiations in Gaza without reaching an agreement. Bar conveyed that Netanyahu’s decision to remove himself and Mossad Chief David Barnea from the ceasefire and prisoner exchange negotiations hindered progress towards the release of prisoners and harmed the team. According to Bar, Netanyahu took steps that would weaken the country “both internally and against its enemies.” BAR BELIEVES A “CONFLICT OF INTEREST” UNDERLIES THE DECISION

In his letter, Shin Bet Director Bar also referred to the investigation conducted by Shin Bet concerning allegations that close advisors to Netanyahu were receiving money through proxy companies from Qatar, dubbed the “Katargate” investigation in Israel. Bar remarked, “Significant investigative steps are being taken. Following the sudden and rash removal based entirely on unfounded allegations, there are emerging traces of foreign interests and an unprecedented conflict of interest.” He cautioned that Netanyahu’s initiative to remove them from office sent a dangerous message to the individuals under investigation and could jeopardize the outcome of the investigation. THE “KATARGATE” SCANDAL

The “Katargate” discussions began with allegations that millions of dollars received from Qatar were transferred to Netanyahu’s election campaign. These allegations led to an investigation by Shin Bet, where Netanyahu’s spokesman Eliezer Feldstein and his advisors Jonathan Urich and Srulik Einhorn found themselves under investigation. It was also claimed in the Israeli media that in 2012, Netanyahu received $15 million from Qatar and $50 million in 2018. Feldstein was reported to be receiving a salary from an international company to support Qatar’s image, while Netanyahu’s advisors Urich and Einhorn were said to be working as image consultants for Qatar. NETANYAHU’S LACK OF TRUST LED TO A CRISIS

Following Hamas’s surprise attack on October 7, 2023, mutual accusations at the highest levels of the Israeli state necessitated the resignation or dismissal of the 7th person to bid farewell to their seat, the Director of the Shin Bet (Shabak) internal intelligence agency Ronen Bar. In his video message, Netanyahu called the Director of the internal intelligence agency Shin Bet (Shin Bet) Ronen Bar for a meeting and informed him that his removal would be voted on at the upcoming cabinet session. Justifying the decision to remove him by citing lack of trust, Netanyahu argued that although he trusted Shin Bet, it was necessary to dismiss Bar. The Israeli media noted that the removal of the Shin Bet director, considered an independent institution, would be the first time in the country’s history.