Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar to Resign Over October 7 Failures Amid Legal Battle

 Jerusalem, April 29, 2025 – Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar announced his resignation on Monday, citing personal responsibility for the agency’s failure to prevent the devastating October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. Bar, who will step down on June 15 after 35 years of service, made the announcement during a memorial event for fallen Shin Bet personnel ahead of Israel’s Memorial Day, which begins at sundown on Tuesday. His decision comes amid a contentious legal battle following the Israeli cabinet’s unanimous vote last month, at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recommendation, to dismiss him—a move currently under review by the High Court of Justice.

Speaking at the memorial, Bar reflected on the catastrophic events of October 7, stating, “After years operating on many fronts, one night, on the southern front, the heavens fell. All the systems collapsed, and the Shin Bet, too, failed in providing an early warning.” He acknowledged the magnitude of the failure, adding, “All of us who chose public service and the defense of state security as our life mission must bow our heads humbly before the murdered, the fallen, the wounded, the abducted, and their families.” Bar emphasized the importance of accountability, subtly critiquing Netanyahu—who has avoided establishing a state commission of inquiry—by noting, “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.”

Bar defended the Shin Bet’s vigilance, asserting there was “no complacency” regarding the Hamas threat, with relentless efforts made before and during the attack. Yet, he admitted the failure, calling for a state commission of inquiry to establish the truth and necessary corrections. He highlighted the agency’s post-attack efforts, stating that since 6:30 AM on October 7, the Shin Bet, alongside the IDF, had “turned the tables” on Hamas, targeting those responsible for the massacre both domestically and abroad, likening the operation to Israel’s response to the 1972 Munich Olympics attack. Bar also urged the return of remaining hostages, underscoring Israel’s duty to its citizens in captivity.

Legal and Political Tensions

The resignation follows a fraught period marked by Netanyahu’s loss of trust in Bar, culminating in the cabinet’s dismissal vote. Bar contested the decision as politically motivated, alleging in a recent affidavit that Netanyahu demanded loyalty to him over the courts and sought to misuse the Shin Bet’s powers, endangering its future independence. Netanyahu countered these claims in an affidavit on Sunday, while Bar reiterated his concerns at the memorial, stressing the need for “institutional protections” to ensure the Shin Bet’s autonomy for future chiefs. He noted that his legal fight, now before the High Court, is about safeguarding the agency’s integrity, not his personal tenure, and expressed hope that the court’s verdict would secure its independence “for the long term and without fear.”

The High Court now faces a complex decision. With Bar’s resignation, the practical issue of his dismissal may be moot, potentially leading the court to avoid a final ruling on the case’s merits, which centered on alleged procedural flaws and political motivations in the government’s decision. However, the court may still issue principled statements on the government’s obligation to base such decisions on professional considerations, especially given its earlier concerns over procedural irregularities. The government is expected to request the lifting of an interim order freezing Bar’s dismissal, while petitioners might push for Netanyahu’s exclusion from appointing a successor due to conflicts of interest tied to Shin Bet investigations into his aides.

Potential Successors and Political Reactions

Netanyahu has already considered several candidates to replace Bar, briefly appointing Vice Adm. (res.) Eli Sharvit before retracting the decision amid political backlash over Sharvit’s critical comments on Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump. Other candidates include two former deputy Shin Bet heads—identified as “Mem” and Yair (Rolly) Sagi—along with Shalom Ben Hanan, a former senior official now at Reichman University, and Eyal Tsir Cohen, a former Mossad division head. The current deputy head, identified as “Shin,” will serve as acting chief during the transition.

Bar’s announcement drew mixed reactions. Opposition Leader Yair Lapid praised the decision, tweeting, “Ronen Bar made the correct and appropriate decision. This is what taking responsibility looks like,” while urging Netanyahu to follow suit, noting, “The people of Israel deserve elections now.” Yair Golan of The Democrats and Benny Gantz of National Unity echoed calls for political accountability, with Gantz acknowledging Bar’s wartime leadership. Conversely, right-wing lawmakers like Likud MK Ariel Kallner criticized Bar, labeling him “illegal” and accusing him of rebellion, while Noam MK Avi Maoz insisted, “You didn’t resign. You were fired.”

As Israel navigates the aftermath of October 7, Bar’s exit marks a significant moment for the Shin Bet and the nation’s security apparatus, with the focus now shifting to the agency’s future leadership and the broader question of accountability at the highest levels of government.