Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided on Sunday to dismiss the head of "Israel's" internal security service, triggering political backlash and deepening divisions between the opposition and the ruling coalition. 

In a video statement, Netanyahu said, "I have decided to propose to the government the dismissal of Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar," adding, "At all times, and especially during an existential war like this, there must be complete trust between the prime minister and the head of Shin Bet."

“Unfortunately, the opposite is true—I no longer have that trust,” he stressed.

According to "Israel's" Channel 12, the government is set to review the proposal on Wednesday. 

Internal tensions rise

Tensions have risen between Netanyahu and the Shin Bet following the agency’s internal investigation into the October 7, 2023 events. Netanyahu dismissed the investigation’s conclusions, stating they didn’t address key questions.

The report’s findings led opposition leaders Yair Lapid and Benny Gantz to demand an apology from Netanyahu, accusing him of shifting blame. Lapid criticized Netanyahu’s decision as “shameful” on X, accusing the prime minister of “losing his nerve and eroding values,” while alleging that he prioritizes personal interests over national security efforts to maintain power.

נתניהו מפטר את רונן בר רק מסיבה אחת: חקירת "קטאר-גייט". במשך שנה וחצי הוא לא ראה סיבה לפטרו, אבל רק כשהחלה החקירה על חדירת קטאר ללשכת נתניהו והכספים שהועברו לעוזריו הקרובים ביותר, פתאום דחוף לו לפטר אותו מעכשיו-לעכשיו.

רונן בר אמר פעמים רבות שהוא יתפטר מתפקידו וייקח אחריות על…

— יאיר לפיד - Yair Lapid (@yairlapid) March 16, 2025

“All his slander and attempts to shift blame won’t help—he’s the primary one responsible for the Oct. 7 disaster,” Lapid said, vowing to challenge the move in the Supreme Court.

Moreover, several military and intelligence officials have resigned over the failures of October 7, yet Netanyahu refuses to take accountability.

Channel 12 reported that the government's legal advisor, Gali Baharav-Miara, requested a meeting with Netanyahu to discuss the dismissal. Meanwhile, Yair Golan, head of the opposition Democrats party, called it a “war on Israel” on X, accusing Netanyahu of trying to silence investigators looking into his circle.

זה מאבק על ביטחונה, עתידה ואופיה של ישראל.
ניאבק בכנסת, בבית המשפט וברחובות.
נעצור את ניסיון ההפיכה של נתניהו.
ברביעי כולנו בירושלים.

— Yair Golan - יאיר גולן (@YairGolan1) March 16, 2025

“As inquiries widen and expose shady ties, he grows hysterical, inciting, firing, and threatening to neutralize law enforcers,” Golan said, pledging fierce resistance.

Fractured internal affairs 

Benny Gantz, a former war cabinet minister and opposition lawmaker, warned on X that firing Bar "directly harms state security" and threatens to fracture Israeli unity for political gain.

פיטורי ראש השב"כ הם פגיעה בכינון ישיר בביטחון המדינה ופירוק האחדות בחברה הישראלית משיקולים פוליטיים ואישיים.

— בני גנץ - Benny Gantz (@gantzbe) March 16, 2025

Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, from Netanyahu’s Likud party, supported the move on X, calling Bar a "dictator under a security guise" whose leadership jeopardizes "Israel’s" safety. Moreover, far-right lawmaker Itamar Ben-Gvir, leader of the Jewish Power party, also praised the decision on X, saying "Better late than never" and encouraging the right to follow US President Donald Trump’s example in dismantling the "deep state" to restore public trust.

Netanyahu's push to oust Bar, as reported by Yedioth Ahronoth, may spark more political turmoil and protests within both security and political sectors. Since establishing his right-wing government in December 2022, Netanyahu has faced heavy criticism over judicial reforms, but he continues to reject demands for early elections.