As Netanyahu clashes with Shin Bet chief, Palestinians face abuses by Israeli intelligence

In recent months, Ronen Bar, the head of the Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security service, has been the subject of personal attacks by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as government ministers and rightwing Knesset members.

Netanyahu tried to fire Bar in March, citing a “lack of trust” in the Shin Bet chief but the move was obstructed by the Israeli Supreme Court.

The spat is now playing out in the court and on Monday Bar gave a statement describing the nature of his relationship with the prime minister.

In the statement, the vast majority of which is confidential, Bar wrote that Netanyahu demanded that "Shin Bet take action against citizens involved in protest and demonstration activities against the government".

The alleged demand by Netanyahu is in complete violation of Israeli law and exceeds the organisational jurisdiction of Shin Bet.

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