Unprecedented tension between Netanyahu and the Shin Bet

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced in a statement: "Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar has launched a blackmail attack through media actions in recent days, the sole purpose of which is to try to prevent the necessary steps from being taken to reform the Shin Bet after its crushing defeat on October 7, 2023."

In its statement, Netanyahu's office addressed former Shin Bet chief Nadav Argeman and announced: "Tonight, another dangerous red line was crossed in Israeli democracy."

Argeman had threatened in an interview with Israeli Channel 12 TV that he would reveal information about Netanyahu if he took illegal actions.

Netanyahu's office said in a statement: "Never in the history of Israel or in any democracy has a former head of a secret security agency attempted to blackmail and threaten the current prime minister on live broadcast."

The Shin Bet defended its chief against Netanyahu's accusations, saying that the accusations were dangerous.

The Shin Bet said in a statement: "These dangerous accusations have been made against the head of an internal organization in the Israeli government; a head who devotes all his time to security issues, trying to release prisoners, and supporting democracy."

In this regard, Yair Lapid, the leader of the Zionist regime's opposition, said: "The statement from Netanyahu's office about the Shin Bet chief is a complete deviation from the path."

He said: "Netanyahu's statements are dangerous and destroy the institution that protects the security of Israelis."

Benny Gantz, the head of the ruling camp party, also announced: "Attacking a government apparatus for political reasons is an act against Israel's security, and this is what Netanyahu is doing in light of the challenges that surround us."

"Yair Golan," the leader of the Democratic Party in the occupied territories, also criticized Netanyahu, saying: "The real mafia is this group that runs Israel through lies."

Golan wrote in a post on the social network "X": "Netanyahu is someone who has sold Israel's security for his political survival; he sees anyone who serves Israel but does not serve his personal interests as an enemy."

He also referred to the current and former Shin Bet chiefs, Nadav Argaman and Ronen Bar, as "loyal servants" of the Zionist regime, emphasizing that they have dedicated their lives to the security of this regime.

According to Hebrew media, including Yedioth Ahronoth, the crisis of trust between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Bar is “at its peak.”

These tensions increased after the Israeli prime minister considered the results of the Shin Bet investigation into the October 7, 2023 attack insufficient and accused the security agency of not being accountable.

In contrast, the Shin Bet, by admitting some mistakes, implicitly held Netanyahu responsible for the ineffective policies of recent years.