Netanyahu’s Likud party says Shin Bet chief turned security agency into ‘private militia for deep state’

By Abdelraouf Arnaout and Rania Abu Shamala

JERUSALEM / ISTANBUL (AA) - The right-wing Likud party, led by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has accused Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar of turning the security agency into a "private militia for the deep state" that "undermines rule of law and foundations of democracy."

The social media post by the far-right party came after the arrest of a reservist in the agency on suspicion of leaking classified information.

Already under criticism for handling the aftermath of the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attacks, Netanyahu had dismissed Bar, but the Supreme Court suspended the decision.

The post, also shared by Netanyahu, accused Bar of “fully cooperating with former Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara to turn parts of the Shin Bet into a private militia for the deep state.”

The agency "arrests and interrogates journalists, blackmails police officers and launches baseless political probes against ministers and Knesset members — all to prevent Bar’s removal,” the statement said.

The party called for the investigation launched into the alleged leak of classified information to end immediately.