Nine bereaved families who lost their loved ones, IDF soldiers, in the October 7 massacre and during the war, have petitioned the Supreme Court to join as respondents to the petitions seeking to overturn the dismissal of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar.

The petition expresses the families’ wishes to support the decision of the Israeli government and ensure that it will be implemented, ending Bar’s term.

The petition states. “October 7 was a severe failure on the part of the Shin Bet,” adding that “thousands of terrorists infiltrated Israeli territory without a warning from the Shin Bet despite the fact that it had much information in its hands.” The request details a series of serious failures found in the Shin Bet’s investigations, including ignoring extensive and detailed warnings, a lack of sufficient intelligence response on the night before the massacre, and the failed personal conduct of the  Shin Bet chief himself.

In the letter, the families described their children who fell while trying to protect the communities of the Gaza border area and military outposts with their bodies – soldiers, male and female, who they say fell because of an undeniable intelligence failure. “Mr. Bar not only headed the organization – he himself made the critical decisions on the night of the tragic surprise attack,” the request stated.

The letter further states that “the government’s loss of confidence in Bar is real, serious, and known to all,” and emphasizes: “If the government and the Shin Bet chief cannot work together, it is clear who should go. Not the government elected by the public, but the one who failed in his role.”

The letter warns against trying to overturn the government’s decision using hollow legal arguments: “The government, which is responsible for the security of citizens, believes that it has no confidence in the Shin Bet chief – and there is no legal consideration that can force it to continue to cooperate with him.”

The families also spoke out against those who petitioned the Supreme Court – left-wing public associations and opposition MKs. “They did not pay the price of failure, they did not lose their children. Our position must be heard.”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)