Ronen Bar to finally leave on June 15

Embattled Shin Bet director Ronen Bar has formally announced his decision to resign today (Monday) on June 15 of this year, following his personal responsibility for the failures of October 7 and his clashes with the government.

His full statement can be found below:

"As the head of the organization I took responsibility - and now, on an evening that symbolizes remembrance, heroism and sacrifice, I have chosen to announce its fulfillment and my decision to end my role as head of the General Security Service (Shin Bet)."

From the speech delivered by the Head of the General Security Service, Ronen Bar, at the memorial event for fallen Shin Bet members this evening (Monday) at Shin Bet headquarters:

"After years on many fronts, in one night, on the southern front, the sky fell. All systems collapsed. The Shin Bet also failed to provide warning.

"As the head of the organization, I took responsibility for this - and now, on this special evening that symbolizes remembrance, heroism and sacrifice, I have chosen to announce its fulfillment and my decision to end my role as head of the General Security Service.

"In their memory, by their light.

"Given the magnitude of the event, all of us who chose public service and protection of state security as our life's mission, and failed to provide a security blanket on that day, must bow our heads in humility before the murdered, the dead, the wounded, the hostages and the families, and act accordingly. Everyone.

"Practical implementation of responsibility is an inseparable part of personal example and the legacy of our leaders, and we have no legitimacy to lead without it.

"This is an organization whose proper functioning is invaluably important to state security and Israeli democracy. In the past month I fought for this, and this week all the necessary infrastructure was presented to the High Court of Justice, and I hope that the ruling will ensure that the Shin Bet remains as such, for a long time and without fear.

"Clarification is needed regarding the institutional protections that will allow each Service head to fulfill his role, subject to government policy, for the public good, independently and without pressure. And thus - to draw the clear line that distinguishes between trust and loyalty. The court discussion is not about my personal matters, but about the independence of future Shin Bet heads, and of course I am prepared to appear for any procedure required by the court for this purpose in the future.

"After 35 years of service, in order to allow an orderly process of appointing a permanent replacement and professional handover, I will end my role on June 15, 2025.

"My love for the homeland and loyalty to the state are the basis for every decision I have made in my professional life. So too this evening."

The Prime Minister's Office released this statement in response:

"It's a sad day. Ronen Bar had to go home alone, he dragged the state of Israel into a crazy mega-event. He made a mistake by submitting an affidavit. Even if the Supreme Court rules that there was a procedural problem, today it was revealed that Ronen Bar submitted a false affidavit to the court. We refuted his lies one by one. The truth is coming to light."