Bar and Netanyahu are good for each other. Not for the country

Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are managing a shared narrative of mutual blame, dividing the public instead of taking personal responsibility for the October 7 failure. The author argues that both benefit from blame becoming a political issue, rather than the entire public pointing a finger at them.

In an opinion piece, Ouzi Ben Nune argues that Ronen Bar and Benjamin Netanyahu are managing a shared narrative of mutual blame around the October 7 failure, which serves both of them at the expense of the state. According to him, Bar is trying to clear his name and place the responsibility on Netanyahu's shoulders, and as a result only 50% of the public sees him as the main culprit, instead of over 90%. Meanwhile, Netanyahu, who himself said he is responsible for Israel's security, benefits from the question of responsibility becoming a political issue and half the nation stands by his side. The author warns that this is a dangerous narrative that divides the people in two instead of demanding a thorough reckoning from those responsible. He notes that Bar went home while Netanyahu has not yet, placing even greater responsibility on the latter.