24.03.2025 21:01
Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has called for the imprisonment of Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar, accusing him of 'conspiring' against the government. Ben-Gvir alleged that Bar was conducting intelligence activities aimed at undermining the government's high-level appointments.
The far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who returned to the coalition in Israel, claimed that Ronen Bar, the Director of the internal intelligence agency Shin Bet (Shabak), had conspired against the government and argued that the intelligence chief should be imprisoned, following the decision of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's government to dismiss him.
According to a report by The Times of Israel, Ben-Gvir, in a press statement before the weekly meeting of his Jewish Power (Otzma Yehudit) Party, alleged that Ronen Bar had unlawfully gathered intelligence about Israeli Police Commissioner Danny Levy.
"HE IS A CRIMINAL, HE SHOULD BE IN PRISON"
Ben-Gvir continued his remarks by asserting that the intelligence chief aimed to undermine the high-level appointments he made, and that this constituted an attack on his voters and the Israeli right: "Ronen Bar conspired against the democratic state, ordered the collection of incriminating information against a government minister, he is a criminal, a danger to democracy, he should be in prison."
Ben-Gvir, who claimed that no one affiliated with the Kahanist movement, which he is a part of and which is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S., had been "appointed or infiltrated" into the police force, defended himself by stating, "All the people I appointed were experienced, respected, and senior officers within the police force."
WHAT HAPPENED?
Ben-Gvir, who called on Prime Minister Netanyahu to take action regarding Bar's criminal actions, stated, "I do not intend to remain silent on these matters. I am considering demanding that the Prime Minister immediately establish a government inquiry committee to investigate the coup attempt and the criminal behavior of the Shin Bet director."
Following the appointment of Danny Levy as Israeli police commissioner by the far-right Minister Ben-Gvir in July last year, a series of resignations were seen within the organization.
Ben-Gvir's statements came after Channel 12, a television station broadcasting in Israel, reported that a secret investigation was being conducted regarding the possible infiltration of far-right elements into the Israeli Police. According to Channel 12, Shin Bet had initially confirmed that it was investigating the allegations of infiltration into the police force, which included Ben-Gvir and his team, but later denied it.
THE HIGH COURT HAD DECIDED TO SUSPEND BAR'S DISMISSAL
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu had informed Ronen Bar, the Director of the internal intelligence agency Shin Bet, that the government would dismiss him this week after meeting with him.
Stating that he did not trust Bar, Netanyahu justified the dismissal decision with ongoing and growing distrust over time, while Bar accused Netanyahu of acting "personally." Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara had stated that the Prime Minister could not arbitrarily dismiss Shin Bet Director Bar.
The Israeli government approved Bar's dismissal, announcing that he would continue in his position until April 10 or until a new appointment was made. The Israeli High Court had suspended the Netanyahu government's decision to dismiss Bar until the hearing of the objections related to the matter, which would take place no later than April 8.
Netanyahu's decision to dismiss Bar sparked heated debates in Israeli politics, leading to mass protests across Israel in response to calls from the opposition.