Israeli spy chief accuses Netanyahu of requesting illegal operations.

Israel in Crisis: Spy Chief Accuses Netanyahu of Pressuring Him to Break the Law

JERUSALEM – Israel’s domestic intelligence chief, Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar, has accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of attempting to fire him for refusing to carry out illegal orders—including targeting anti-government protesters and interfering in Netanyahu’s corruption trial.

Key Allegations in Bar’s Explosive Affidavit:

1. Netanyahu Wanted Protesters & Donors Surveilled

   • Bar claims Netanyahu repeatedly demanded Shin Bet monitor Israelis funding and organizing mass protests against his government.

   • The spy chief refused, calling the orders politically motivated and illegal.

2. Pressure to Block Netanyahu’s Corruption Trial Testimony

   • Bar says he rejected a request to approve a security exemption that would have prevented Netanyahu from testifying in his ongoing bribery and fraud trial.

3. Netanyahu’s “Retaliation” Over Hamas Attack Probe

   • Shin Bet was investigating whether the government ignored warnings before Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack.

   • Bar suggests Netanyahu’s attempt to fire him was partly to derail this inquiry.

Netanyahu’s Response: “Full of Lies”

• The PM’s office denied all allegations, calling Bar’s affidavit “fabricated.”

• Officials claimed Bar was being dismissed due to “loss of trust” after failing to prevent Hamas’s attack—a charge Bar acknowledged, saying he would resign soon.

• The government also denied any link to the “Qatargate” corruption probe, calling the claim “absurd.”

Political Fallout & Mass Protests

• Israel’s Supreme Court blocked Netanyahu’s attempt to fire Bar, pending review.

• The crisis has reignited protests, with Israelis accusing Netanyahu of endangering democracy to protect his power.

• Demonstrators are also furious over the government’s failure to free remaining Gaza hostages (over 50 still captive) and the war’s staggering death toll (over 51,000 Palestinians killed).

What’s Next?

• Will the Supreme Court allow Bar’s dismissal?

• Will Netanyahu’s legal troubles deepen? (His corruption trial continues.)

• Could this spark a broader political crisis? (Protests are growing.)

The Bottom Line:

This unprecedented clash between Israel’s spy chief and prime minister exposes a government in turmoil—with Netanyahu accused of weaponizing intelligence agencies to silence critics and evade accountability. As protests swell, Israel faces a defining moment for its democracy.