Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly accused Ronen Bar, the head of the Shin Bet internal security agency, of lying in a sworn affidavit filed with Israel’s Supreme Court. The latest legal clash comes amid Bar’s allegations that Netanyahu tried to politicize the powerful domestic spy agency to serve his own political interests.
In a response filed on Sunday, Netanyahu vehemently rejected claims made by Bar, who alleged that the prime minister had sought his loyalty in the event of a constitutional crisis involving the judiciary. Bar further accused Netanyahu of attempting to use the Shin Bet to monitor anti-government protesters and to intervene in the ongoing corruption trial of the prime minister, which is currently underway.
Netanyahu’s affidavit, submitted to the court ahead of further deliberations on the legality of Bar’s dismissal, sharply countered Bar’s allegations, calling them “lies and contradictions.” The prime minister argued that Bar’s claims were part of a broader attempt to distort the situation, portraying himself as a defender of the rule of law and the independence of Shin Bet.
The dispute stems from the Israeli government’s decision to sack Bar last month, citing a “loss of confidence” in the security chief. However, the Supreme Court issued an injunction, halting Bar’s removal until its legal validity could be determined. The latest back-and-forth between Netanyahu and Bar adds a new layer of complexity to an already fraught relationship between Israel’s government and its security establishment.
One of the key points of contention in the affidavits is Bar’s assertion that Netanyahu had asked him to use the Shin Bet’s powers to monitor peaceful anti-government protesters. In his response, Netanyahu categorically denied the claim, stating that he only requested the agency’s help in monitoring potential threats from violent activists inciting actions against senior officials and their families.
Additionally, Netanyahu rejected Bar’s allegation that he had sought to stop his corruption trial, which he described as a simple request for enhanced security following a Hezbollah drone strike on his private residence in October 2023. Netanyahu and his family were not at home at the time, and the trial was eventually relocated to an underground courtroom in Tel Aviv. Netanyahu also took the stand in his own defense during December’s court proceedings.
However, Netanyahu did not explicitly deny Bar’s claim that he had requested the Shin Bet’s support in the event of a future showdown with the Supreme Court. Instead, Netanyahu’s affidavit stated that there was “no trace” of evidence to support the assertion made by Bar in his filing.
The tensions between Netanyahu’s government and the judiciary have been mounting for months, with the ruling coalition in a long-standing battle to overhaul the judicial system. The prime minister’s coalition has sought to reduce the power of the courts, including efforts to undermine the authority of judicial officials, which has been a key point of contention between the government and the country’s legal institutions.
Netanyahu also took the opportunity in his affidavit to criticize the Supreme Court, questioning why he was forced to enter an “affidavit competition” with a civil servant whom he had fired “unanimously” in a government decision. In a more pointed section, Netanyahu accused Bar of attempting to hold onto his position by deflecting blame for the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, which Netanyahu described as “the largest intelligence failure in Israeli history.”
The prime minister and his supporters have been keen to blame Bar and other security chiefs for the Hamas assault, which resulted in the deadliest attack in Israel’s history. Many of the senior officials in charge at the time, except for Bar, have already been dismissed or resigned, while Netanyahu has steadfastly refused to take any personal responsibility for the attack.
The unfolding legal battle between Netanyahu and Bar adds to an already tense political climate in Israel, with the government and judiciary locked in a fierce struggle over the future of the country’s legal and political systems. The Supreme Court’s forthcoming decision on Bar’s dismissal could have far-reaching implications for both Netanyahu’s leadership and Israel’s political landscape.
