Jerusalem: The head of Israel's Shin Bet domestic security agency has accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of demanding personal loyalty and attempting to surveil anti-government protesters. The allegations were made in a testimony to the Supreme Court on Monday, amidst ongoing tensions between Ronen Bar, the Shin Bet chief, and Netanyahu.
According to Anadolu Agency, Bar's written testimony, which Netanyahu had attempted to block, claims his dismissal was not due to professional performance but rather stemmed from an expectation of personal loyalty to the Prime Minister. Bar alleged an extraordinary series of actions from Netanyahu, including a media campaign against him on social media. Additionally, Bar disclosed that Netanyahu expected him to prioritize the prime minister's orders over the High Court of Justice in a constitutional crisis and requested illegal surveillance against government protestors.
Bar further revealed that Netanyahu pressured him to provide information about protest activists and funders, and to create a professional opinion, authored by Netanyahu or his aides, to prevent Netanyahu from facing ongoing corruption charges. These requests were allegedly made in private, with Netanyahu ensuring no records were kept.
In response to Bar's accusations, Netanyahu's office labeled the affidavit as false, promising a detailed refutation soon. The office accused Bar of failing during the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks, asserting that his actions, or lack thereof, justified his dismissal. Netanyahu's office claimed that Bar failed to notify the prime minister in time about the attack, despite having prior intelligence.
The testimony has elicited strong reactions from the opposition. Yair Lapid, the opposition leader, emphasized that Netanyahu's actions pose a threat to Israel's security. He accused Netanyahu of attempting to use the Shin Bet for surveillance against citizens. Lapid also mentioned the potential danger of political assassinations, naming Bar as a possible target, while criticizing Bar for not resigning post the October attacks.
Yair Golan, leader of the opposition Democrats Party, condemned Netanyahu as a direct threat to Israel's security and democracy, urging him to step down. Golan described the situation as a chaotic leadership leading a chaotic government, posing a threat to democracy.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has seen a resurgence in violence, with the Israeli army's offensive resulting in significant casualties, despite a previous ceasefire agreement. The International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice have taken actions against Israel, including issuing arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and pursuing a genocide case for the actions in Gaza.