The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) denied reports that it carried out in recent months a secret probe into the police on suspicion of undermining the state and democracy.
"No Shin Bet investigation has been conducted on this matter, neither regarding the police nor the political echelon, and no such investigation is currently taking place," a Monday evening press statement from the agency read.
The press statement added that the head of the Shin Bet spoke to the police commissioner to clarify the matter and that the two agreed on the importance of their cooperation.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's office also denied the Channel 12 report on Sunday,
The report noted the dissemination of Kahanism as a threatening element.
The Prime Minister's Office claimed that it was unaware of the investigation and had not been notified of the matter by the Shin Bet chief.
National security ministry calls Bar a threat
The office of the national security minister addressed the move to dismiss Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar in response.
"It is now even clearer why Ronen Bar must not remain as head of the Shin Bet," the statement read.
"A head of a secret organization who initiates investigations and gathers materials against elected officials while predefining the target - 'to collect evidence and testimonies regarding the involvement of the political echelon' - is an immediate threat to democracy," the statement continued.
The statement further accused the agency of "undermining the government and conducting a political investigation with the aim of staging a political coup against the will of the people."
Later, Ben Gvir called for Bar to be prosecuted in a post on X/Twitter.
"Ronen Bar is a criminal and a liar, now trying to deny his attempt to conspire against elected officials in a democratic country, even after the documents have been exposed for all to see," he wrote.
"I will not settle for his dismissal—he must face criminal prosecution for attempting a coup and undermining democracy."
Police deny N12 report
The police said the commissioner was "surprised" by the report and was "unfamiliar with the matter."
"If such allegedly serious suspicions with potentially dangerous implications have indeed arisen, their details must first and foremost be conveyed to the head of the organization to address them," the statement noted, adding that the commissioner requested a clarification from the Shin Bet chief.
The agency said in response, "The Kach and Kahane Chai movements were declared 'unlawful associations' in 1994 and have been designated as 'terror organizations' since 2016."
"The activities of these organizations continued thereafter, and the security service worked to expose and thwart them in accordance with its legal mandate. Accordingly, whenever information on this matter is received, the service also addresses concerns regarding the infiltration of these elements into government institutions, particularly law enforcement agencies," the statement added.
Move to dismiss Shin Bet chief
Last week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to put forward to the cabinet the motion to remove the Shin Bet chief from his role.
The prime minister's decision came amid the Shin Bet investigation into Netanyahu aides who were allegedly involved in Qatargate.
On Saturday, Netanyahu claimed in a video that Bar had opened an investigation into Qatargate to prevent his firing.