Prime Minister Benjamin Netanayhu published a video on Saturday in which he claimed, without providing evidence, that Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar opened an investigation into 'Qatargate' to prevent his dismissal.
Netanyahu also claimed that the decision to fire his security agency chief was made prior to the announcement that the security agency was investigating his office's ties to Qatar.
"Ronen Bar will not remain head of the Shin Bet. There will not be a civil war, and Israel will remain a democratic state," the prime minister said after opening the video by stating he had "dramatic revelations that will rock you.
"Israel is a state of law, and the law clearly states that the government has the right to dismiss the heads of security agencies before the end of their term. This is exactly what we have done."
Netanyahu went on to dismiss fears that he may be in a conflict of interest over his involvement in firing Bar, claiming the decision to fire Bar was made long before he opened an investigation into Qatargate. "I felt that now was the appropriate time to fire him after he had presented the Shin Bet's report into the events of October 7. I did the same with the former chief of staff [Herzi Halevi].
Netanyahu then presented a letter dated February 15, in which the Shin Bet chief responded to the prime minister's letter from February 10, asking for an update on a request from February 1 to receive the...
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