“Israel’s” Intel Chief: Netanyahu Ordered Security Service to Spy on Protestors

By Staff, Agencies

The head of “Israel’s” “Shin Bet”, Ronen Bar, has accused the entity’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of firing him for his refusal to carry out a number of illegal operations, including spying on “Israeli” protestors.

Bar was formally sacked last month, with the official reason cited as a lack of trust and the spy chief’s alleged failure to prevent the October 2023 Hamas operation. It marked the first time in “Israeli” history that a security chief was fired by the government. However, the so-called “Israeli” Supreme Court has issued an injunction freezing the dismissal.

In a 31-page affidavit submitted to the so-called Supreme Court on Monday, Bar dismissed the official reason, stating that it “does not lie in the professional realm but in a demand for personal loyalty” to Netanyahu.

He claimed that the “Israeli” prime minister wanted “to see the ‘Shin Bet’ act against ‘Israelis’ involved in protest activity and demonstrations against the government,” with a special focus on monitoring “protest funders.”

According to Bar, he was also told to ignore “court rulings” in the event of a “constitutional crisis” and to obey the prime minister. On top on that, Bar claimed he was pressured to help Netanyahu, who faces corruption charges, avoid testifying in the case.

At the same time, the “Shin Bet” head acknowledged the agency’s failings ahead of the “Israeli” war on Gaza and indicated he would resign before the end of his term.

Netanyahu is on trial in three graft cases, in which he is accused of taking bribes and luxury gifts from media personalities in exchange for furthering their financial interests.

Responding to the affidavit, Netanyahu’s office said it was “full of lies,” adding that Bar had “failed miserably” in his response to the Hamas attack.