Bar vs. Bibi in a battle of narratives threatening to combust - analysis

In an affidavit submitted to Israel’s Supreme Court on Monday, the head of Israel’s internal security agency, Ronen Bar, accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of trying to exploit the agency’s authority for his own political benefit. Bar’s response came as part of an ongoing deliberation in petitions brought forward to the court aimed at preventing Netanyahu from sacking Bar. While much of the affidavit was sealed, eight pages were made public, intensifying the showdown between the two figures.

For Netanyahu’s opponents, the Bar affidavit was damning proof that Israel’s longest-serving prime minister was threatening the country’s democracy. For his supporters, it was further confirmation that the head of the Shin Bet was the main figure behind Israel’s failure to prevent Hamas’ surprise offensive against Israel on October 7, 2023.

Netanyahu’s office called Bar’s affidavit “full of lies.”

“Ronen Bar submitted a false affidavit to the Supreme Court, which will be disproved in detail soon,” a statement from Netanyahu’s office read.

The latest development has further entrenched each side in its position. The opposition repeated their calls to Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara to declare Netanyahu incapacitated.