Ronen Bar, head of Israel’s Shin Bet intelligence agency, has accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of demanding personal loyalty in the event of a constitutional crisis.

This is according to a formal court statement The Times of Israel reported on Monday.

In the statement, Mr Bar said Mr Netanyahu expected him to obey the prime minister rather than the Supreme Court should such a crisis occur.

It was submitted as part of a legal dispute over Mr Bar’s dismissal, which has sparked a political backlash.

Mr Bar also rejected Mr Netanyahu’s allegation that he had advance warning of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack but failed to alert the prime minister.

Mr Netanyahu responded on social media, calling the statement “full of lies.’’

Mr Netanyahu’s cabinet voted to dismiss Mr Bar on March 21, citing a “lack of trust.’’

However, Israel’s Supreme Court later ruled that Mr Bar must remain in his post with full authority until a final decision is reached.

Mr Bar’s ousting prompted mass protests and accusations that the prime minister had a conflict of interest as Shin Bet is investigating some of his close associates over alleged illegal ties to Qatar.

Qatar, along with Egypt and the U.S., is mediating indirect talks with Hamas but was also seen by Israel as a key supporter of the group. 

(dpa/NAN)