Benjamin Netanyahu calls Shin Bet chief a liar amid Israeli court battle

Netanyahu accuses Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar of false claims as Israeli supreme court weighs legality of his dismissal.

Benjamin Netanyahu attends his corruption trial in Tel Aviv earlier this week. (c) Moti Kimchi/Reuters

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has branded the head of Israel’s Shin Bet internal security service, Ronen Bar, a "liar" in a sworn affidavit submitted to Israel’s supreme court. The sharp accusation escalates the ongoing legal and political battle surrounding Netanyahu’s efforts to dismiss the powerful spy chief. In his 24-page affidavit released publicly on Sunday, Netanyahu vehemently rejected allegations that he attempted to politicize the agency for personal gain, marking another dramatic turn in the high-stakes confrontation.

Benjamin Netanyahu calls Shin Bet chief a liar is at the center of this unfolding story. Netanyahu’s detailed response followed a damning affidavit by Bar, who claimed that Netanyahu demanded his personal loyalty in the event of a constitutional crisis with the judiciary. Bar also alleged that the prime minister sought to deploy Shin Bet resources against anti-government protesters and to halt Netanyahu’s ongoing corruption trial under the pretext of security concerns.

Rival affidavits deepen the political crisis

The rival affidavits come as the Israeli supreme court prepares to rule on the legality of Bar’s dismissal. Netanyahu’s government officially fired Bar last month citing a "loss of confidence," but the court issued an injunction suspending the move pending further deliberation.

Netanyahu’s response portrayed Bar’s affidavit as a web of "lies and contradictions," suggesting that the Shin Bet chief was attempting to position himself as a defender of democratic institutions while distorting reality. According to Netanyahu, his instructions to the agency were limited to monitoring potentially violent elements among protesters, not peaceful demonstrators as Bar had implied.

The prime minister also pushed back against claims that he had sought interference in his corruption trial. He insisted that discussions regarding the trial were solely about security measures after a Hezbollah drone strike targeted his private residence in October 2023. Although Netanyahu and his family were not home during the attack, the incident prompted the relocation of his trial to a secure underground courtroom in Tel Aviv.

Netanyahu sidesteps direct rebuttal on loyalty demands

Despite his firm denials on other points, Netanyahu notably did not directly refute Bar’s assertion that he was asked to pledge loyalty to the prime minister during any judicial conflict. Instead, Netanyahu stated that there was "no trace" of evidence in Bar’s submissions supporting such a claim.

Ronen Bar, responding to Netanyahu’s affidavit on Sunday night, stood by his earlier testimony. "All the details that were raised in the affidavit I submitted are the absolute truth," Bar said. He accused Netanyahu of employing "inaccuracies, selective quotes and half-truths" to mislead the court and the public about the true nature of their interactions.

A broader clash over Israel’s institutions

The personal clash between Netanyahu and Bar reflects a deeper institutional struggle that has gripped Israel for more than two years. Netanyahu’s ruling coalition has been locked in a bruising campaign to curb the independence of the judiciary and other state institutions, sparking massive protests across the country. Attempts to fire security officials seen as obstacles to the government’s agenda have been a recurring theme throughout this crisis.

In his affidavit, Netanyahu questioned the legitimacy of the proceedings against him, asking why he was being forced into an "affidavit competition" with a civil servant dismissed unanimously by his cabinet. His comments hinted at lingering resentment toward the supreme court, which he and his allies often portray as overstepping its authority.

Netanyahu’s focus shifts to October 7 failures

A significant portion of Netanyahu’s affidavit sought to shift the conversation toward Ronen Bar’s alleged failings ahead of the deadly Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Netanyahu asserted that Bar bore "direct and enormous responsibility" for what he termed the "largest intelligence failure in Israeli history." According to the prime minister, this catastrophic oversight was the real reason behind Bar’s dismissal.

Using enlarged font for emphasis, Netanyahu stressed the magnitude of the intelligence disaster, implying that Bar’s attempts to portray himself as a victim were driven by self-preservation.

Government officials aligned with Netanyahu have aggressively pushed a narrative blaming security chiefs for the October 7 failures, while the prime minister himself has steadfastly refused to accept any responsibility. Despite widespread calls for accountability, Netanyahu has blocked efforts to establish a formal national commission of inquiry into the Hamas attack.

Political consequences loom large

The battle between Netanyahu and Bar could have major ramifications for Israeli politics and national security. If the supreme court rules against Netanyahu, it would mark a major legal and political setback for a leader who has survived multiple crises over nearly two decades in power. Conversely, if the court upholds Bar’s dismissal, it could further embolden Netanyahu’s efforts to reshape the Israeli state in ways that critics say threaten its democratic foundations.

Meanwhile, public trust in Israeli institutions continues to erode. The controversy surrounding Bar’s firing and Netanyahu’s handling of the October 7 attack has only deepened public skepticism about the government’s transparency and competence.

Netanyahu’s future remains uncertain

Even as he fights battles on multiple fronts — in the courtroom, within Israel’s security establishment, and against growing public anger — Benjamin Netanyahu shows no signs of backing down. His latest move, branding the Shin Bet chief a liar, underscores the combative style that has both secured his political longevity and mired him in endless controversy.

Whether Netanyahu ultimately succeeds in reshaping Israel’s political and judicial landscape remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the fight over Ronen Bar’s dismissal and the broader issues it symbolizes will continue to define Israeli politics in the months ahead.