Ronen Bar

Israel must confront Jewish extremism while rejecting Europe’s double standards - editorial

The question is whether Jewish power there will be governed by law, restraint, responsibility, and reverence for human life, or hijacked by an extremist theology dressed up as patriotism.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and committee head MK Zvika Fogel attend a National Security committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament on March 24, 2026.
The new chief of the Israel Security Agency, Shin Bet, David Zini, participates in the state memorial ceremony for the 07 of October 2023 on Mount Herzl, in Jerusalem, 16 October 2025.

Shin Bet to change 'Qatargate' opinion says Urich, Feldstein didn't harm state security - report

Mossad Director Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman attends a ceremony marking the lighting of the first Hanukkah candle of the 7th Armored Brigade at the National Library in Jerusalem, on December 14, 2025.

Roman Gofman’s Mossad chief appointment signals a paradigm shift - analysis

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with Shin Bet Director David Zini, October 23, 2025.

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


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

High Court freezes firing of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar until later decision

Raucous court causes delays in consequential hearing • Ministers threaten to disregard ruling, paving way for constitutional crisis

 The High Court of Justice convenes in Jerusalem

Is the mask coming off? Shin Bet's political weaponization exposed - opinion

Israeli society can not allow a small elite to continue its abuse and hijacking of the legal system and law enforcement.

 Avishai Moalem arrives to the Police Internal Investigations Department, in Jerusalem, February 4, 2025

High Court to hear arguments for, against firing of Bar

The issues center on the prime minister's conflict of interest, due process, and differing views on democracy and power distribution.

 Ronen Bar, head of the Shin Bet security services attends a ceremony held at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Museum in Jerusalem, as Israel marks the annual Holocaust Remembrance Day. May 5, 2024

Is a constitutional crisis brewing in Israel over Shin Bet head's dismissal? - analysis

If the court rules in favor of the petitioners and says the government cannot fire Bar, but the government insists it can and moves ahead anyway—that’s a constitutional crisis.

 (L-R) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar over the flag of Qatar (illustrative)

High Court cannot force government to retain Bar as Shin Bet head, says Smotrich

"The responsibility for Israel's security lies with the government, and therefore, the authority [to fire Bar] rests with it," Smotrich said.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich speaks in the Knesset plenum, in Jerusalem, March 25, 2025

'Loyalist’ Shin Bet head could dismantle democracy, says Israel Democracy Institute VP - interview

"This could have dramatic, far-reaching implications for the independence and professionalism of the entire public service,” Navot wrote.

 Ronen Bar, head of the Shin Bet security services, at a state ceremony marking the Hebrew calendar anniversary of the Hamas attack on October 7 of last year which sparked the ongoing war in Gaza, at Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem on October 27, 2024.

‘No deep state and no dictatorship,’ Herzog says contrary to Netanyahu claims

Herzog addressed concerns that the government would not respect a High Court ruling that cancels the firing of Bar.

President Isaac Herzog