Security shock in Tel Aviv; Shin Bet chief falls victim to Israel's domestic crisis

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA): Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday dismissed the head of the Israeli Internal Security Agency (Shibak), Ronen Bar, from his post. The move comes after months of tension and growing disagreements between Bar and Netanyahu, and has drawn attention at a time when Israel is facing major and complex security challenges.

 

According to published reports, the decision was made following "mutual distrust" between the prime minister and the Shin Bet chief. Netanyahu announced in an official letter that in the critical war situation that Israel is in, he cannot continue to cooperate without full trust in the Shin Bet chief. Netanyahu emphasized in the letter that the "persistent distrust" between him and Bar has made it impossible for them to work together.

 

This decision was made while Israeli political analysts believe that the main reasons for the dismissal go beyond work differences and relate to internal security and political issues in the Zionist regime. One of the possible reasons for the dismissal is the investigation into "Qatar Gate". This investigation seeks to uncover evidence that Netanyahu's relatives received financial funds from Qatar and had suspicious connections with the country's government. Some experts believe that Netanyahu dismissed Ronen Bar from his position out of fear that he would release information in this regard.

 

Also, differences over how to deal with the October 7 incident (Operation Storm al-Aqsa) and the subsequent security crises are another factor in the tensions between Netanyahu and Bar. On that date, Israeli intelligence agencies failed to identify and neutralize threats from Hamas attacks in time, which led to severe domestic criticism. Many Israeli officials, including Bar, have strongly criticized the performance of the security services, and Netanyahu, due to increasing domestic pressure, is trying to shift the responsibility to others.

 

With Bar's dismissal, speculation has begun about his successor. While some sources close to the Shin Bet have announced that Bar's deputy, Yossi Cohen, is likely to succeed him, other sources say that Netanyahu is seeking to nominate someone from outside the Shin Bet for the position to ensure that he has someone loyal to him at the helm of the security establishment in this sensitive situation.

 

These developments occur at a time when the Zionist regime is facing numerous security and political challenges at home and abroad. Changes in Israel's security structure could have significant effects on the regime's domestic and foreign policies. Some analysts also believe that this dismissal could fuel Israel's internal security and political crises and complicate the process of negotiations with the Palestinians and Arab countries.