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From the Liveblog of
Friday, March 21, 2025
From the Liveblog of
Friday, March 21, 2025
‘It’s an internal Israeli matter’: State Department avoids weighing in on Shin Bet chief’s dismissal
Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (second from right) attends a security briefing during an IDF operation in Jenin on July 3, 2023. At left, is IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, and next to him is Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Ronen Bar, head of the Shin Bet is at center. (Amos Ben Gershom/GPO)
Asked for comment on the Israeli government’s decision last night to fire Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, a State Department spokesperson tells The Times of Israel, “This is an internal matter for the government of Israel, so we refer you to them for more information.”
The spokesperson adds that US special envoy Steve Witkoff “will continue working tirelessly alongside our partners, toward a ceasefire and the release of the hostages, especially American-Israeli Edan Alexander.”
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