From the Liveblog of
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Ex-Shin Bet head Ronen Bar to co-lead new politics institute, angering Oct. 7 victims’ families
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Ronen Bar, the former head of the Shin Bet who led the intelligence agency before and during the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, onslaught, is one of the members of the board of a new school of political leadership affiliated with Reichman University in Herzliya, the Kan public broadcaster reports.
His new role has drawn the ire of relatives of those killed in the attack, the worst in Israel’s history. Bar, who stepped down in June 2025, has taken responsibility for his and the agency’s role in failing to prevent the attack.
Bar is taking an active role in setting up the institution, holding meetings regarding its formation, Kan reports. The report says other public figures are also involved in the institute.
Kan quotes Shelly Meshel-Yogev, mother of Libby Cohen Meguri, 22, who was murdered by Hamas terrorists while trying to flee the Nova music festival on October 7, expressing anger at the news.
“Whoever had a hand on the steering wheel on October 7 can’t teach us anything about leadership,” she says.
The October Council, which represents relatives of some of the victims of the Hamas attack, issues similar criticism, according to Kan.
“We won’t allow someone who was responsible for the debacle that led to the massacre of our loved ones shape the character of future Israeli leaders,” the group says.
The Times of Israel Community.