The meetings, the witnesses, and the documents: Ronen Bar's battle against Netanyahu begins | Yehuda Rachaniev

Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar is launching a legal and public battle against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, demanding the disclosure of documents and the summoning of witnesses. Bar accuses Netanyahu of leading a campaign of incitement and of preventing the establishment of a state commission of inquiry for three years. Netanyahu's camp places the blame for the failure on Bar.

Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar is launching a legal and public battle against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Bar demands the disclosure of documents, including Netanyahu's meeting schedule before the massacre, and threatens to summon witnesses from Netanyahu's office staff. Bar accuses Netanyahu of leading a campaign of incitement aimed at diverting attention from his personal failure, and of preventing the establishment of a state commission of inquiry for three years. On the other hand, Netanyahu's camp places the blame on Bar, claiming that before the massacre he spoke with military and intelligence chiefs but refrained from updating Netanyahu personally. Legally, Netanyahu has immunity by virtue of his position, but the public meaning is clear: the attempt to shift responsibility will not erase the failure. The author states that the time has come for "the commander, the leader, the head of the system" to bear responsibility.