Minister blasts Shin Bet, "You didn't have intelligence then, and you don't have it now"

The remarks, reported by Channel 13 News on Monday, March 10, 2025, came as Israel prepared to send a delegation to Doha for negotiations on a ceasefire and hostage release deal. The meeting underscored growing tensions within the government over security and accountability, more than a year after the devastating October 7 attack.

Regev did not hold back in her assessment, targeting the Shin Bet in particular. "The Shin Bet had no intelligence before October 7, and you still have nothing even after a year and a half of being inside Gaza," she declared. Her comments reflect mounting frustration over the agency’s perceived inability to adapt and deliver actionable intelligence following the initial failure to predict the Hamas-led assault in 2023. She further criticized the lack of progress in securing the release of hostages, arguing that the current ceasefire has yielded no results. "It’s untenable that we’re still maintaining a ceasefire and no hostages are being released," she said, urging both the Shin Bet and IDF to present innovative solutions to the cabinet.

The absence of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar from the meeting added another layer of intrigue. Bar, who recently rebuffed Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s pressure to step down, was not in attendance—though it remains unclear whether he was excluded or opted out amid his strained relationship with the prime minister. Regev took a pointed jab at the agency’s representative present, saying, "I hope you will also cooperate with the investigations despite the fact that the Attorney General is protecting you." This remark alluded to Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Biara’s warning that any attempt to dismiss Bar would face legal challenges, potentially deeming it "illegal."

The exchange highlights a broader political storm brewing in Israel. Recent days have seen an aggressive campaign aimed at dissuading Netanyahu from ousting Bar, signaling deep divisions within the government. As ceasefire talks loom, Regev’s outspoken critique underscores the pressure on Israel’s security apparatus to deliver results amid ongoing conflict and scrutiny.