Ronen Bar announces he will step down as Shin Bet chief on June 15, says all leaders must take responsibility

Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar announces that he will step down from his position on June 15, citing personal responsibility for the agency’s failure to prevent the October 7 Hamas attack.

Speaking at a memorial event for fallen Shin Bet personnel, Bar says that after “years [operating] on many fronts,” the agency “failed in providing an early warning” that day. “All systems collapsed.”

“As the head of the organization, I took responsibility for this — and now, on this special evening, symbolizing remembrance, bravery, and sacrifice, I have chosen to announce the fulfillment of that responsibility and my decision to end my tenure as head of the Shin Bet,” he says.

“In light of the magnitude” of the October 7 event, Bar continues, “all of us — those who chose public service and the defense of the state’s security as our life mission, and who failed to provide a protective covering that day — must bow our heads humbly before the murdered, the fallen, the wounded, the abducted and their families, and act accordingly. All of us.”

In comments that might also be seen as directed at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has rejected the idea of resigning over October 7, Bar goes on: “The fulfillment of responsibility in practice is an inseparable part of personal example and the legacy of our leaders — and we have no legitimacy to lead without it.”

At Netanyahu’s recommendation, the cabinet last month voted unanimously to dismiss Bar, prompting an ongoing legal battle, with petitions against the dismissal currently being considered by the High Court of Justice. The prime minister has said he lost faith in Bar, and castigated him over the October 7 failures.

Bar has contested his dismissal as illegitimate, and argued that Netanyahu ousted him for personal and political reasons. In an affidavit last week, he claimed that Netanyahu demanded that he be loyal to the prime minister over the courts, said Netanyahu sought to misuse the Shin Bet’s powers, and warned that the future independence and integrity of the service are imperiled. Netanyahu issued an affidavit countering the claims yesterday.

Bar relates to some of his concerns in his speech, saying of the Shin Bet: “This is an organization whose proper functioning is of priceless importance to the security of the state and to Israeli democracy. Over the past month, I fought for this, and this week, all the necessary groundwork was laid before the High Court of Justice, and I hope that its verdict will ensure that the Shin Bet remains so — for the long term and without fear.”

He specifies that the agency must be provided with “institutional protections that will allow every Shin Bet chief to fulfill their role, subject to government policy and for the public good, independently and free of pressure. And thus — to draw the clear line that distinguishes between trust and loyalty.”

Bar says that the ongoing proceedings “are not about my personal case but about the independence of future Shin Bet chiefs,” stressing that he is willing to continue to cooperate with the High Court on the case moving forward.

Nonetheless, he concludes, “after 35 years of service,” he will step down on June 15 in order to allow for an orderly process of appointing his successor and guiding them during the handover period. “My love for my homeland and loyalty to the state have been the foundation of every professional decision I have made — so too this evening.”