Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar announced he will step down on June 15, citing personal responsibility for the agency’s failure to prevent the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. Speaking at a memorial event, Bar said the agency “failed in providing an early warning” and that “all systems collapsed.”
Bar’s resignation follows a legal and political storm triggered by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s push to dismiss him. The cabinet voted unanimously last month to remove Bar, prompting High Court petitions challenging the decision. Bar argues the dismissal was politically motivated, while Netanyahu has claimed a loss of trust.
In his speech, Bar emphasized that the Shin Bet had taken the Hamas threat seriously, but ultimately failed. He called for a state commission of inquiry to uncover the full truth. Without naming Netanyahu directly, Bar also stressed that true leadership demands accountability and that “we have no legitimacy to lead without it.”
Bar warned of threats to the Shin Bet’s independence, alleging Netanyahu pressured him to prioritize loyalty to the prime minister over the rule of law. He urged the court to protect the agency’s integrity, asserting that the fight was not about his position, but about future leadership and democratic safeguards.
The High Court will now determine how to proceed with the petitions. While Bar’s exit may render the dismissal case moot, the court may still issue guidelines on the role of political influence in appointing security chiefs.
Possible successors include former deputy Shin Bet heads, veteran officials, and researchers with intelligence backgrounds. For now, the agency’s deputy, identified as “Shin,” will serve as acting chief.
