"Did you try 144?": The internet is bursting with laughter at Ronen Bar and the indictment

Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar's claim that he did not have Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's phone number sparked a wave of humorous reactions on social media. Users, media figures, and content creators posted jokes, memes, and jabs, including offers to help Bar find the number, puzzlement over the lack of direct communication channels, and fictional books inspired by the affair.

Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar's claim that he did not have Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's phone number became a central focus of humor and satire on social media yesterday (Wednesday). Many users seized on the statement to post jokes, memes, and jabs about the relationship between the head of the General Security Service and the prime minister. Some offered to help Bar locate the number, while others expressed puzzlement that someone who headed one of the country's most sensitive security agencies did not hold direct communication channels. Among the notable reactions: a humorous post on the "Beity Turbo" account featuring an imaginary dialogue with the 144 directory service; media personality Meni Asayeg mocked the claim, writing that Bar said he "just ran out of talkman"; journalist Noam Fathi posted a joke that Bar thought "the red phone is for calling the post office"; and Amichai Shila posted a sharp jab linking the claim to the organization's intelligence capabilities. A user named Esi uploaded an image of a fictional book titled "Cellular Yellow Pages" published by "Yediot Shekarim" with Bar's face on the cover. The reactions included a wide range of humorous creations from both citizens and media figures.