Netanyahu moves to oust head of Israel's domestic security service

I took responsibility for the agency's part (in failing to prevent the attack) ... it is clear that the intent behind my dismissal is not related to October 7,

he wrote in a statement

Ami Ayalonisraeli politician

Israeli democracy is on a crash course,

said Ami Ayalon, a former head of the Shin Bet

It’s a fundamentally flawed expectation that is in contravention with the Shin Bet law and statesmanship,

he said in a rare public statement

Due to ongoing lack of trust, I have decided to bring a proposal to the government to end the tenure of the Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar,

Netanyahu said in a video statement

I have had a persistent lack of confidence in the head of the Shin Bet, a distrust that has only grown over time,

he said

The duty of trust owed by the head of the Shin Bet is first and foremost to the citizens of Israel – this perception is what underlies all of my actions and decisions, ... The Prime Minister’s expectation of a personal duty of trust whose purpose contradicts the public interest is a fundamentally wrong expectation.”

Bar said

Yair Lapidopposition leader

For a year and a half, he saw no reason to fire him, but only when the investigation into Qatar’s infiltration of Netanyahu’s office and the funds transferred to his closest aides began, did he suddenly feel an urgent need to fire him immediately,

opposition leader Yair Lapid said

We are in the midst of a war for our very survival … At any time, but especially during such an existential war, the prime minister must have complete confidence in the director of the [Shin Bet]. Unfortunately, however, the situation is the opposite.”

Netanyahu said

Yair Golanwing politician

The dismissal of the head of the Shin Bet is a desperate attempt by a criminal defendant to get rid of someone who is loyal to Israel and who is investigating Netanyahu and his close circle for serious and dark offences and is not willing to whitewash them,

Golan said

The dismissal of the head of the Shin Bet will not pass as if nothing happened. There will be tremendous resistance, we will fight with force and will not allow Netanyahu to turn the State of Israel into a dictatorship of a corrupt man,

he added

The investigation reveals a long and deliberate disregard from the political leadership from the organization’s warnings,

Bar said Sunday

We are in the midst of a war for our very existence - a war on seven fronts,

Netanyahu said in a press release

But unfortunately, the situation is exactly the opposite – I do not have such confidence,

the prime minister said