In a move emblematic of the deepening political crisis gripping Israel in the aftermath of Hamas’s brutal October 7 attack, Ronen Bar, director of the Shin Bet internal security agency, announced his resignation—effective mid-June—following a fierce and public clash with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Bar, once praised by Netanyahu as one of Israel’s most capable security minds, has now been cast aside by the Prime Minister in a transparent bid to shift blame for Israel's most devastating security failure in decades. The Hamas-led onslaught, which left over 1,200 Israelis dead and saw hundreds taken hostage, exposed a catastrophic breakdown in military and intelligence coordination—a breakdown Netanyahu has so far refused to personally acknowledge.

In a televised address that underscored the gulf in leadership accountability, Bar took full responsibility for Shin Bet’s failure to foresee and prevent the massacre. “The Shin Bet wasn’t complacent,” Bar said, his voice resolute. “And yet we failed. This isn’t our standard.”

Shin Bet head Ronen Bar announces he will resign on June 15, following a dispute with Netanyahu as the prime minister sought his dismissal

'This is the latest twist in what has been a very public legal battle, but also a battle of narratives,' @_biancazanini says pic.twitter.com/xLRoacPI2N

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His words stood in stark contrast to the Prime Minister’s continued deflections and finger-pointing. Netanyahu has placed blame on nearly every non-political actor involved—while sparing his own Cabinet, his ministers, and, above all, himself.

Bar's resignation follows Netanyahu’s failed attempt to fire him last month, a move that ignited a constitutional crisis and massive public backlash. Legal experts and citizens alike questioned whether the Prime Minister even possessed the authority to oust the Shin Bet chief, a non-political appointee whose role demands independence from partisan interference. The issue reached Israel’s Supreme Court, prompting dueling affidavits. Bar accused Netanyahu of demanding personal loyalty over professional integrity, while Netanyahu labeled Bar a scapegoat for the October disaster.

But insiders say the real wedge was Bar’s role in hostage negotiations. Unlike Netanyahu, who has repeatedly hardened his stance and blocked proposed deals, Bar was seen as willing to strike agreements with Hamas to free Israeli captives. Critics allege Netanyahu’s obstructionism was more about political survival than national security—dragging out the war to preserve his position and avoid elections that could see him ousted.

Ronen Bar, head of Israel’s internal security agency Shin Bet, announced on Monday that he will step down on June 15 after 35 years of service. He made the announcement during a memorial event for fallen Shin Bet personnel, stating that the timing allows for an orderly transition… pic.twitter.com/jspFs3jBaR

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“Bar wanted to bring our people home,” one senior defense source said anonymously. “Netanyahu wanted to bring headlines home.”

Adding to the Prime Minister’s fury, the Shin Bet had launched investigations into three Netanyahu-affiliated aides suspected of shady dealings with Qatar, including potential misuse of backchannel diplomacy and financial impropriety. Some believe Bar’s independence in these probes sealed his fate.

Bar now joins a growing list of senior officials pushed aside after crossing Netanyahu. In January, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi announced his own departure, citing responsibility for military failures. He, too, had disagreed with Netanyahu’s war strategy. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant—another vocal critic—was fired earlier in the war, though later reinstated under public pressure.

Only Mossad Director David Barnea remains among Israel’s top-tier security heads, though rumors swirl about his strained relationship with the Prime Minister.

While Netanyahu paints himself as the unshakable wartime leader, a significant portion of the Israeli public sees something else: a Prime Minister determined to maintain power at all costs, even if that means undermining the very institutions tasked with keeping Israelis safe.

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Even President Isaac Herzog appeared to distance himself, issuing a carefully worded statement praising Bar’s decision to resign. “The announcement that he will soon end his term as head of the service is the right decision,” Herzog said. “It reflects the assumption of responsibility.”

Meanwhile, the legal battle over Bar’s dismissal may not be over. Despite Tuesday’s Cabinet vote to formally reverse his forced removal, the damage is already done—both institutionally and politically.

In a revealing letter to the Cabinet back in March, Bar subtly accused Netanyahu of sabotaging the hostage negotiations altogether. “The claim of supposed distrust has no basis,” he wrote. “Unless the true intention, which I seemingly failed to understand, was to conduct negotiations without reaching an actual deal.”

With Bar gone, Netanyahu has one less critic in the room—but many more watching from outside. Israel’s war cabinet is shrinking, and so too is the nation’s patience.