Ronen Bar

Ronen Bar is the current head of the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), the country's primary internal security service.

'S' takes over as acting Shin Bet chief from Ronen Bar

Bar, who picked S. as his deputy in January, said he had tremendous confidence in S. to run the agency.

 Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar at Israel's Remembrance Day ceremony, 30 April 2025
(L-R) Shin Bet director Ronen Bar and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Who is 'S', new acting Shin Bet chief replacing Ronen Bar? - explainer

 Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar attends a ceremony held at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Museum in Jerusalem, as Israel marks the annual Holocaust Remembrance Day. April 23, 2025.

Netanyahu's office: Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar's deputy to enter interim role on Sunday

 IDF troops operate in Khan Yunis, in Gaza, June 3, 2025.

Israel at War day 609: What's happening in Israel and Gaza?


Tug of war: Netanyahu and High Court gamble with Israel's future over Shin Bet head - opinion

The dangerous flirtation of Israeli public leaders with the horrifying prospect of disobeying a High Court ruling, which will likely result in the dissolution of Israeli society.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL Gali Baharav-Miara attends a Knesset Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee meeting in April. She says that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to advance the appointment of Maj.-Gen. David Zini as head of the Shin Bet is invalid and illegal.

Maj.-Gen. Zini's appt as Shin Bet head undermines IDF Chief of Staff Zamir's status - analysis

If Zini’s appointment proceeds, it is likely that it will damage professional ties between him and Zamir.

 Maj.-Gen. (Res.) David Zini and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

'I am against hostage deals,' Netanyahu's Shin Bet chief pick says - report

The remarks, reportedly made during closed meetings at the General Staff, have sparked concern among hostage families and added to existing criticism regarding his suitability for the post.

Families of Israelis held hostage by Hamas terrorists in Gaza and supporters attend a protest calling for their release, outside the Prime Minister's residence in Jerusalem on April 7, 2025.

Netanyahu justifies Shin Bet head appt, says Zini will not be involved in 'Qatargate' probe

The statement said that a permanent successor to Bar must be appointed by the time Bar's term ends on June 15.

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Netanyahu's office publishes excerpts of pre-Oct. 7 Maj.-Gen. Zini report on IDF preparedness

“[...] In almost every sector, a surprise raid on our forces could succeed, undermining the rule ‘we will be surprised but not defeated.’"

 Maj.-Gen. David Zini attends a ceremony held at the IDF Central Command headquarters in Jerusalem, July 8, 2024

Israel at war day 595: What happened in Israel, Gaza, Lebanon?

US-Iran nuclear talks begin amid doubts; Netanyahu shares Zini report; Hezbollah seeks boost; Palestinian leaders exit Syria after harassment

 The Night time Operation of the Paratroopers Brigade in Syria, March 25, 2025.

'I want to apologize to you,' Ronen Bar tells Edan Alexander after Witkoff secures his release

"I want to apologize to you for falling into captivity also because of us, and for the fact that you were released thanks to Witkoff and not thanks to us," Bar reportedly told the freed hostage.

 Edan Alexander wearing Star of David necklace gifted by Steve Witkoff.

Netanyahu appoints IDF Maj.-Gen. David Zini as Shin Bet chief, despite court ruling

The appointment was made despite a High Court ruling that the dismissal of Shin Bet head Ronen Bar was illegal due to Netanyahu's conflict of interest in the "Qatargate" affair.

 Maj.-Gen. (Res.) David Zini and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

False, misleading, conspiratorial claims: Fact-checking Netanyahu's press conference - analysis

Many of the prime minister’s claims were inaccurate, misleading, contradictory, or conspiratorial.

 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a press conference, May 21, 2025.

Government will ignore A-G, appoint new Shin Bet head, PM says

The government intends to appoint a new Shin Bet head despite A-G's directive based on a High Court ruling earlier.

 ATTORNEY-GENERAL Gali Baharav-Miara attends the swearing-in ceremony of Justice Isaac Amit as president of the Supreme Court, in Jerusalem, last month. The attorney-general ‘hinders’ the prime minister from implementing policies as he wishes, the writer maintains.

'Victory for Israeli democracy': Israel weighs in on Ronen Bar High Court ruling

While many organizations in Israel called the High Court's ruling on Ronen Bar's firing a victory for democracy, some said the decision undermined the government.

Israelis protest against Benjamin Netanyhahu's government in Jerusalem, March 23, 2025