Netanyahu Campaign Accused of Promoting Conspiracy Theories on October 7th

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's campaign is reportedly promoting conspiracy theories regarding the October 7th Hamas attacks, aiming to distance him from responsibility for the security failures. This strategy, initially amplified by Netanyahu's wife, Sara Netanyahu, is described not as an accidental remark but as a calculated political move expected to intensify as elections approach.

Sources within the Likud party have criticized this approach, with one stating the goal is to create disinformation and shift blame away from the Prime Minister "at any cost." The campaign is reportedly led by the Prime Minister's family, with Netanyahu himself directly involved. He recently claimed on Instagram that senior IDF officials deliberately avoided waking him on the morning of the attack, suggesting they knew he would have ordered a full military mobilization.

Netanyahu also asserted that an "objective investigation" by the State Comptroller covered the events, despite the fact that such inquiries fall under the purview of a state commission of inquiry, not the comptroller. This narrative has also drawn internal criticism within Likud, with some arguing it unfairly targets security officials and contradicts the party's message of unity.

The controversy was ignited when Sara Netanyahu echoed a conspiracy theory suggesting that former IDF General Yair Golan, who was present in the Gaza envelope on October 7th and reportedly saved lives, had prior knowledge of the attack. She implied Golan was prepared early in the morning while the Prime Minister was unaware.

Golan has demanded a public apology and financial compensation from Sara Netanyahu within 24 hours, threatening a defamation lawsuit. In response, she reportedly rejected his demands and counter-demanded a public clarification and NIS 100,000 in compensation from Golan within 48 hours, threatening to seek NIS 1 million from him if he fails to comply.