Report: Netanyahu tried to cajole Shin Bet head to quit at ‘tense’ meeting

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pressured Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar to resign during a meeting the two held last week, Channel 12 news reports.

According to the report, which does not cite any sources for the information, Bar refused to tender his resignation during the meeting — described by the channel as “extremely tense.”

According to the report, Netanyahu told Bar words to the effect of “we waited for the investigations, now it’s time to hand over the keys,” in reference to a recently released internal Shin Bet probe which found various failings surrounding the October 7, 2023 attack.

Bar has said he does not plan on stepping down from his post until all the hostages are returned and a state commission is established to probe failures surrounding the Hamas onslaught, according to previous reporting by the channel.

Ties between Netanyahu and the head of his domestic intelligence agency have deteriorated sharply in recent months, with the premier removing Bar and Mossad chief David Barnea from heading the team negotiating the Gaza truce-hostage deal.

Netanyahu is currently meeting with top ministers to discuss Israel’s stance as he dispatches negotiators to Qatar for a fresh attempt at talks aimed at freeing hostages and ending the war in Gaza.