The Shin Bet was stunned to discover a series of advertisements in Friday's newspapers (April 29) attacking its director Ronen Bar. The ads were signed by the far-right Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) faction, headed by opposition Knesset member Itamar Ben Gvir.
The ads featured a photo of Bar, alongside an article about an official Shin Bet report concerning Ben Gvir. The Shin Bet report, apparently submitted about 10 days ago, warns that a march led by Ben Gvir to the Damascus Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem would play into the hands of Hamas and was likely to ignite the entire region. According to the Shin Bet report, “Ben Gvir’s arrival is a detonator, and a detonator must be defused.” As a result of the report, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett prevented Ben Gvir from visiting the area, given the unrest on April 20, during Ramadan.
After seeing the article, Ben Gvir decided to come out with all guns blazing. He used a series of newspaper ads to launch a media campaign against the head of the Shin Bet, making reference to recent terror attacks in Israeli cities. “You failed on the Temple Mount. You failed in Beersheba. You failed in Bnei Brak and Hadera. You failed in Gaza. So, now you’re accusing Itamar Ben Gvir, and saying that he needs to be 'defused'? Stop giving briefings. Get to work!” the ads said.
It is highly unusual for a member of Knesset to take such a step against the head of an official state organization, especially one with such prestige among the public. Until just a few years ago, it was forbidden to release even the name of the head of the Shin Bet in the media — it goes without saying that his photo was not allowed either. It was all part of an approach that said that senior officials of Israeli intelligence organizations should remain in the shadows. The public had no idea who the heads of the Shin Bet or Mossad were, but these two unnamed individuals were nevertheless held in respect and even awe. Since the new wave of terrorism began two months ago, the Shin Bet has been working around the clock, attempting to prevent more terrorist attacks. Under normal circumstances, when tensions are high, Israelis tend to show gratitude to their security forces.
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