Netanyahu said set to hold security discussion with embattled Shin Bet chief

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has invited Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar to participate in a security discussion that will take place over the phone this evening, reports the Ynet news outlet, citing unnamed sources within the Prime Minister’s Office.

The invitation follows the cancellation of last night’s security cabinet meeting after Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced that he would not attend if Bar, whom the government is moving to fire, was invited.

The far-right minister’s refusal to attend the meeting came amid a wave of coalition criticism of the security agency head after reports of an investigation into a leak of classified information from a Shin Bet agent to journalists and a cabinet minister.

The canceled security cabinet meeting was reportedly scheduled to discuss the ongoing military operations in the Gaza Strip as well as developments in the negotiations to free the remaining 59 hostages from Hamas.