TEL AVIV: Israeli media reported on Monday that the head of Israel’s domestic intelligence service, Ronen Bar, had announced his resignation and that he would step down on June 15, following weeks of tension with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who has moved to fire him, citing a lack of trust.

“After 35 years of service, in order to allow an orderly process for appointing a permanent successor and for professional handover, I will end my role on June 15, 2025,” Shin Bet chief Bar told a memorial event at his agency, according to a statement. He had contested the sacking in a legal case that divided the nation.

Bar’s resignation came amid public spats with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netan­yahu who claimed Shin Bet chief’s negligence failed to prevent the Oct 7, 2023 Hamas raid that triggered conflict in the Gaza Strip. His resignation bid sparked nationwide outrages, threatening to plunge Israel back into deep political crisis.

The Oct 7 raid badly tarnished the reputation of the Israeli military and intelligence services, previously seen as all but unbeatable by Palestinian groups such as Hamas. The head of the armed forces, Lieutenant-General Herzi Halevi, and Bar, both earlier accepted responsibility in the aftermath of the raid but have stayed on while the conflict in Gaza has continued.

Published in Dawn, April 29th, 2025