Israel’s security chief accuses Netanyahu of demanding personal loyalty
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, U.S. on April 7, 2025. (AFP Photo)
The head of Israel’s internal security agency, who faces dismissal by the government, has filed a sworn statement to the Supreme Court accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of demanding personal loyalty and ordering surveillance of anti-government protesters.
Ronen Bar, chief of the Shin Bet security service, made the allegations in an affidavit submitted Monday, escalating a political and legal standoff that has triggered mass protests across Israel.
“It was clear” that in a constitutional crisis, Bar would be expected to obey Netanyahu and not the Supreme Court, according to the document released by the attorney general’s office.
The security chief also alleged that Netanyahu instructed him “on more than one occasion” to monitor Israeli citizens participating in anti-government demonstrations, “with a particular focus on monitoring the protest’s financial backers.”
Dismissal attempt sparks nationwide protests
The government announced plans to dismiss Bar last month, a move that has been contested by Israel’s attorney general and opposition parties, who view it as evidence of authoritarian tendencies. The unprecedented attempt to fire the security chief has sparked widespread protests.
Bar’s affidavit further confirmed media reports that Netanyahu sought the Shin Bet leader’s assistance in delaying testimony in the prime minister’s ongoing corruption trial.
The security chief also rejected accusations from Netanyahu and his associates that the Shin Bet failed to provide timely warnings about the Oct. 7, 2023, attack.
Following a hearing on April 8, the Supreme Court ordered that Bar “will continue to perform his duties until a later decision” and added that “there is nothing to prevent interviews with candidates for the post, without announcing an appointment.”
The court has called on the government and attorney general to reach a compromise after the Jewish Passover holiday, which recently concluded. Israeli media have reported that Bar may soon resign from his position.
