Netanyahu says he will seek to dismiss head of Israel’s internal security service

Ronen Bar (pictured) is embroiled in an increasingly acrimonious dispute with Israel’s prime minister over responsibility for the failures that allowed the surprise Hamas attack. Photograph: Gil Cohen-Magen/AP

Benjamin Netanyahu has announced he will seek to dismiss the director of Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security service, through a cabinet vote later this week, in a move that will prompt further accusations of authoritarianism.

The Israeli prime minister said in a video statement on Sunday that “ongoing distrust” made it impossible for him to continue to work with Ronen Bar, who has led Shin Bet since 2021.