Ronen Bar

Shin Bet chief Zini backs agency's Oct. 7 findings, defying PM narrative

Zini's siding with his agency's findings in its probe of October 7 against the prime minister's narrative is the first public break between the two after Zini remained silent on the issue for months.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with Shin Bet Director David Zini, October 23, 2025.
 ILLUSTRATION: Benjamin Netanyahu and Ronen Bar

Former Shin Bet chiefs, officials call out Netanyahu, Zini for 'conspiracies against Ronen Bar'

Prodalim CEO Tsahi Barak.

Food, beverages giant Prodalim seeks NIS 2-2.5b valuation in TASE IPO

Opposition leader MK Yair Lapid leads a faction meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, February 9, 2026

Lapid says Netanyahu falsified security protocols to deflect Oct. 7 blame, urges investigation


Politicizing the Shin Bet endangers Israel's national security - opinion

The agency’s extensive powers create significant temptation for the minister responsible for it – the prime minister – to direct the Shin Bet chief to use those powers against political opponents.

 FORMER SHIN BET director Yoram Cohen receives protection amid a stormy scene at the Supreme Court on Tuesday, as the High Court holds a hearing on the cabinet’s firing of the current Israel Security Agency chief, Ronen Bar. Cohen alleges that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked of the Shin Bet

Almost half of Israelis do not think you can remove Hamas and release hostages - poll

Israel Democracy Institute found that 68% of respondents would prioritize returning the hostages, compared to 25% who would prioritize toppling Hamas.

A Palestinian Hamas terrorist speaks with a Stephanie Eller before the release of hostages held in Gaza since the deadly October 7, 2023 attack, as part of a ceasefire and a hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel in Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip, February 15, 2025.

How Israeli lawmakers from the Right and Left view High Court’s ruling on Shin Bet head

The Media Line interviewed opposition MK Karin Elharrar and coalition MK Tally Gotliv, painting a picture of a nation grappling with the limits of power, accountability, and the rule of law.

 MK Tally Gotliv speaks outside the court in Tel Aviv during a case against Eli Feldstein, November 21, 2024

MKs cannot disrupt court proceedings, says court legal advisor

“This behavior not only undermines the integrity of the judicial process but also infringes on the rights of litigants to have their day in court," said court system legal advisor Barak Lazer.

 MK Almog Cohen reacts during a discussion and a vote in the assembly hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on February 22, 2023.

Netanyahu must choose compromise to preserve Israel's democracy - editorial

Israel is consumed by an internal power struggle, with the Netanyahu, judiciary battle over the fate of Shin Bet at the center.

 Illustrative image of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) and Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar superimposed on an image of Israelis protesting judicial reform.

IDF, Mossad, Shin Bet heads not invited to security cabinet discussion

Officially, security agency heads were not invited to attend given the meeting would be a briefing on PMs visits to Hungary and Washington.

 Ronen Bar, head of the Shin Bet security services and Mossad chief David Barnea attend a farewell ceremony in his honor, at the National Police Academy in Beit Shemesh, on July 14, 2024.

Netanyahu 'puzzled' by court decision to freeze firing of Ronen Bar

Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli said "until today, many Israeli citizens lived under the illusion that they live in a democracy."

 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seen at the District court in Tel Aviv, as part of the criminal trial against him, April 2, 2025

High Court, Shin Bet chief and the fate of Israeli democracy - analysis

Why did so much of the country focus its attention on this hearing while there is an ongoing war in Gaza and while Netanyahu was on a high-stakes visit with US President Donald Trump?

 Illustrative image of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ronen Bar

Israeli public divided on government obeying High Court's Shin Bet ruling

A survey shows most Israelis support the High Court's ruling on Ronen Bar's dismissal. The Left and Center back the decision, while the Right opposes it.

 Israeli public opinion the government following the High Courts ruling on the firing of Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar.

'You don't have authority': Bereaved father, Likud lawmaker disrupt High Court hearing

Tensions boil over in the High Court as bereaved fathers and MK Tally Gotliv are removed during a heated hearing on Ronen Bar's dismissal.

 Likud MK Tally Gotliv seen at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem, April 8, 2025