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 attack, aiming to distance him from responsibility for the security failures. This strategy, according to a report by N12 News, is not a mere slip of the tongue but a calculated political move expected to intensify as elections approach.

While Prime Minister Netanyahu himself reportedly disliked his wife Sara's specific public statement echoing these theories, the broader campaign to spread narratives of "internal betrayal" is seen as directly involving him. Netanyahu himself claimed in an Instagram live session that senior IDF officials deliberately avoided waking him on the morning of the attack, asserting he would have immediately ordered the military to full alert. He also suggested that an "objective investigation by the Comptroller" had occurred, despite the fact that such inquiries fall under the purview of a state commission of inquiry, not the state comptroller.

Sources within the Likud party have expressed criticism of this campaign, with some stating that its goal is to create disinformation and absolve Netanyahu of responsibility "at any cost." They argue that this approach focuses intense public scrutiny on the security failures of October 7th and contradicts Netanyahu's efforts to promote unity and end political boycotts. Some within the party believe accusing security officials and IDF personnel of treason is a severe misstep.

The controversy was amplified by Sara Netanyahu's recent statement to Channel 14, where she suggested that former IDF General Yair Golan, who was present and reportedly saved lives on October 7th, had prior knowledge of the impending attack. Golan has demanded a public apology and financial compensation within 24 hours, threatening a defamation lawsuit. Sara Netanyahu has rejected these demands, counter-demanding an apology and NIS 100,000 in compensation from Golan within 48 hours, or she will seek NIS 1 million from him.