Ronen Bar
Ronen Bar is an Israeli intelligence officer who served as the director of the Israeli Security Agency from 13 October 2021 to 15 June 2025. He replaced Nadav Argaman, after having served as his deputy since 2018. Bar was appointed by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and his nomination was approved by Israel's cabinet on 11 October 2021. He assumed office on 13 October 2021 and was fired in March 2025, though his firing was suspended by the High Court of Israel. He submitted his resignation in April, which came into effective in June.
Standing...
Stories...
Oct 2, 2026
Lean Right
Shin Bet chief Bar has warned that Jewish terrorism in the West Bank is spiraling out of control and has criticized government inaction, prompting backlash from right-wing ministers.
Likud is divided: some appreciate his security warnings, but many view his criticism as politically motivated and an attempt to undermine the government's settlement policies.
Oct 2, 2026
Center
New disclosure that three weeks before October 7 he warned the Knesset subcommittee of a 'perfect storm' and said internal division encourages enemies.
Yesh Atid cites his warning to argue the failure was political, not just military, and that Netanyahu ignored clear signals while pushing judicial overhaul.
Sep 30, 2026
Center
The former Shin Bet chief is in a public battle with Netanyahu over pre-7/10 warnings, each accusing the other of clinging to the 'conceptzia' that Hamas was deterred.
Yesh Atid wants a state commission of inquiry to establish accountability, rejecting Netanyahu's attempts to blame the security services and evade responsibility.
Sep 26, 2026
Lean Left
The Shin Bet director was fired by Netanyahu after the agency's internal probe into the October 7 failures and tensions over the Qatar probe.
The left treats Bar as a professional fired for refusing to bend the security services to Netanyahu's political needs, and the dismissal as a red line.
Sep 22, 2026
Lean Left
The Shin Bet chief has been publicly clashing with Netanyahu over responsibility for the October 7 failures and the handling of the hostage negotiations.
The left treats his warnings as confirmation that the security establishment shares its view that the political leadership, not the military, is the source of the failure.
Sep 19, 2026
Center
Shin Bet under his leadership warned Netanyahu about Qatari funding to Hamas, according to the Yedioth probe.
Yesh Atid treats the Shin Bet's documented warnings as evidence that the security establishment was overruled for political reasons, and that Netanyahu must be held accountable.
Aug 18, 2026
Lean Left
The Shin Bet chief's ouster was approved after his agency investigated covert Qatari money flowing to Netanyahu aides.
Labor/Meretz view his firing as retaliation for investigating the prime minister's circle, proof that the government protects itself before the public.
Aug 17, 2026
Far Left
The sacked Shin Bet chief is at the heart of a legal and political storm after his investigation exposed ties between Prime Minister's Office staff and Qatar.
Hadash defends the independence of the security service and sees his purge as a dangerous precedent, while noting his agency's record on Gaza has never been pacifist.
Aug 15, 2026
Lean Right
As Shin Bet chief, Bar oversaw the arrest of the suspect who damaged Netanyahu's convoy vehicle.
Likud supports Bar's agency for catching the suspect, but some on the right distrust Shin Bet's leaks against Netanyahu.
Aug 12, 2026
Lean Right
The Shin Bet chief oversaw the arrest of the suspect who damaged Netanyahu's convoy vehicle.
Likud trusts Shin Bet to handle the investigation but watches for any political fallout that opponents might try to attach to the prime minister.