JERUSALEM (Realist English). For the first time in Israel’s history, the head of the domestic intelligence agency Shin Bet has testified under oath against a sitting prime minister. Ronen Bar accused Benjamin Netanyahu of trying to politicize the agency by demanding personal loyalty and bypassing judicial authority.
According to The Guardian, Bar submitted a written affidavit to Israel’s Supreme Court stating that Netanyahu pressured him to pledge direct allegiance to the prime minister — including orders to monitor protest leaders and to disregard the authority of the judiciary in case of a constitutional crisis. Bar claimed his refusal led to his dismissal, despite the government’s official explanation of a “loss of confidence.”
As reported by Associated Press, Bar also revealed he had launched two internal investigations during his tenure: one into a leak of classified information by a senior aide to the prime minister, and another into the so-called “Qatargate” affair — allegations involving Qatari intermediaries channeling funds to influence Israeli media. These moves may have further strained his relationship with Netanyahu.
The prime minister’s office has denied all allegations, calling Bar’s claims “false and politically motivated.” Netanyahu insists he never asked Shin Bet to act unlawfully and only sought to prevent street violence amid ongoing protests.
With Israel gripped by deepening political turmoil, opposition figures are calling for Netanyahu’s immediate resignation. Former prime minister Yair Lapid described the case as “a threat to national security.”
This case marks more than just a clash between political rivals — it reveals a deep institutional fracture between Israel’s civilian leadership and its security services. If Bar’s sworn claims are validated in court, Israel may be facing a legitimacy crisis at the highest levels of government. The outcome could reshape the relationship between elected officials and security institutions, with the Supreme Court’s ruling potentially opening the door to early elections.
