In a fiery response on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar for the devastating Hamas attack on October 7, accusing him of a massive failure in national security.
“He Failed Miserably,” Says Netanyahu
“Bar confirms the assessment of all government ministers that he failed miserably on October 7th,” said Netanyahu in a strongly worded statement. “This reason alone justifies the end of his tenure,” he added, pushing back after Bar submitted a legal affidavit that included criticism of Netanyahu’s leadership.
Security Failures Under the Spotlight
The attack by Hamas, which caught Israel off guard, has sparked ongoing political turmoil in the country. Netanyahu has faced mounting criticism for how the government handled the attack, but his latest statement shifts the blame toward the domestic security agency, Shin Bet, and its chief.
Internal Rift Widens
Ronen Bar’s affidavit reportedly contained accusations aimed at Netanyahu, further intensifying the rift between the country’s political and security leadership. This public fallout marks a deepening crisis in trust between top officials in the aftermath of the October assault.
Calls for Accountability
While Netanyahu’s office calls for Bar’s removal, critics argue that ultimate responsibility lies with the Prime Minister. The fallout from the October 7 attacks continues to fuel fierce political debate across Israel.
