Jerusalem: The right-wing Likud Party, led by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has accused Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar of transforming the security agency into a "private militia for the deep state," which allegedly undermines the rule of law and the foundations of democracy.
According to Anadolu Agency, the accusation emerged following the arrest of a reservist within the agency, suspected of leaking classified information. This development adds pressure on Netanyahu, already facing criticism over his handling of the aftermath of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks. Although Netanyahu attempted to dismiss Bar, the Supreme Court suspended this decision.
A social media post by Likud, shared by Netanyahu, claimed Bar was actively cooperating with Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara to convert parts of the Shin Bet into a "private militia for the deep state." In March, the government had voted to withdraw confidence from Baharav-Miara over policy disagreements, marking a step towards her potential dismissal.
The Likud Party further alleged that the agency was involved in arresting and interrogating journalists, blackmailing police officers, and conducting baseless political investigations against ministers and Knesset members, all aimed at preventing Bar's removal. The party urged an investigation into the alleged leak of classified information to cease immediately and described the arrest of the reservist as "shocking and grave."
Likud demanded that the so-called "political investigations" led by Bar be halted and called for his resignation, claiming a loss of government trust and highlighting his perceived failures on October 7, 2023. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, from the far-right Jewish Power party, also accused Bar of being aligned with the "deep state."
In a related development, Bar had previously kept an investigation into far-right police infiltration in the agency confidential until details were allegedly leaked to a right-wing journalist. Netanyahu has also referred to a "deep state" in a past Knesset speech, criticizing what he described as undemocratic collaboration between bureaucracy, media, and this entity, although the opposition denies such claims.
Meanwhile, tensions in the region have intensified, with the Israeli army renewing its assault on Gaza on March 18, ending a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement from January. Since October 2023, at least 51,000 Palestinians, primarily women and children, have been killed in Gaza. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.