PMO says Shin Bet chief’s probe into Ben Gvir’s office meant to topple government

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office says in a statement that a Channel 12 report indicating that the premier knew about an alleged Shin Bet probe into Itamar Ben Gvir’s National Security Ministry is “another lie that has been shattered.”

The PMO says that a reported letter from embattled Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar ordering the probe into the political echelon “is reminiscent of dark regimes, undermines the foundations of democracy, and aims to overthrow a right-wing government.”

The report said that the Shin Bet conducted a covert probe into the possible infiltration of extreme-right elements into the Israel Police following suspected political meddling in the force by Ben Gvir.

“The Prime Minister was never informed by the Shin Bet chief that he intended to collect evidence on the political echelon behind his back,” said Netanyahu, “and did not give permission for this.”

Netanyahu’s office says that on June 19, 2024, Bar told Netanyahu about his suspicions about the infiltration of far-right, Kahanist figures into the police. “The Prime Minister unequivocally instructed the Shin Bet chief to present to him support for this claim, to raise it directly and immediately with the National Security Minister, and in no way to act behind the minister’s back.”

According to the PMO, Bar agreed to do so but never presented the evidence.

The Shin Bet issued a statement denying opening the probe mentioned in the report, despite its initial reaction which appeared to confirm it. The second statement clarified that “there was no Shin Bet investigation on the matter, toward police or politicians, and there is no Shin Bet probe now either.”