Ex-Shin Bet Official Claims Bennett Ignored Warnings on Ronen Bar's Appointment
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Former Shin Bet official Micha Kobi accused ex-Prime Minister Naftali Bennett of appointing Ronen Bar as Shin Bet chief despite receiving warnings about his suitability. Kobi claimed the appointment was based on personal acquaintance from military service and that the Shin Bet organization itself questioned the choice. He also criticized the broader appointment system within the Shin Bet, citing a "friend brings friend" culture and past leadership failures.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Former Shin Bet official Micha Kobi claims Naftali Bennett ignored warnings when appointing Ronen Bar as Shin Bet chief.
- Kobi stated that Bennett and Bar's prior acquaintance from Sayeret Matkal influenced the appointment.
- The appointment of Ronen Bar also raised questions within the Shin Bet organization, according to Kobi.
- Kobi criticized the Shin Bet's appointment system, citing personal connections and a "friend brings friend" culture.
- He suggested that some past Shin Bet leaders failed due to a flawed selection process.
A former senior official in the General Security Service (Shin Bet), Micha Kobi, has sharply criticized the appointment process of Ronen Bar as the head of the Shin Bet. Kobi alleged in an interview with Galai Israel that former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett received warnings about Bar's suitability for the role but proceeded with his appointment regardless. Kobi stated that Bar's appointment also raised eyebrows within the Shin Bet itself, suggesting Bennett's decision was influenced by their prior acquaintance from their service in the Sayeret Matkal unit.
Kobi linked Bar's appointment to broader criticisms he has leveled against the appointment system within the Shin Bet. He claimed that over the years, individuals have reached senior positions not solely based on merit, but often due to personal connections and a "friend brings friend" system. Kobi asserted that some individuals who spoke out against former Prime Minister Netanyahu received promotions not necessarily for their success, but because of these internal connections.
Furthermore, Kobi criticized the selection process for Shin Bet chiefs historically, stating that some who headed the organization failed in their roles, attributing this partly to a flawed appointment process. He presented Ronen Bar's appointment as a prime example of his claims about the organization's internal dynamics, reiterating that the prior relationship between Bennett and Bar from Sayeret Matkal was the driving factor behind Bennett's promotion of him.
