The head of Israel’s internal security agency has accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of trying to exploit the power of the agency for political and personal gain through a litany of improper demands.

In a scathing court affidavit, the head of the Shin Bet said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pressed him to spy on anti-government protesters.

Ronen Bar, head of Israel's Shin Bet intelligence agency, has accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of demanding personal loyalty in the event of a constitutional crisis, according to a formal court statement reported by The Times of Israel on Monday.