Netanyahu Denies Betrayal on October 7, Calls Wife's Remarks 'Nonsense'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded Tuesday, a day after his wife Sara's interview caused controversy, stating that there was "no betrayal" on October 7. He dismissed the notion as "nonsense dressed up," referring to Sara Netanyahu's remarks that hinted at prior knowledge held by Yair Golan regarding the Hamas attack.

Netanyahu reiterated his stance, "I have been asked and I have said several times. 'Do you think there was betrayal?' I said, 'No, I do not think there was betrayal.'" He acknowledged a "big failure" occurred, characterized by intelligence signs being ignored before the attack due to a miscalculation aimed at not "angering Hamas," which led to him not being alerted.

"This is a failure, but it is not betrayal. It happens. Unfortunately, it happened with terrible costs, but it is not betrayal, and my wife also did not say there was betrayal. It's just nonsense," Netanyahu concluded.

The controversy stemmed from an interview Sara Netanyahu gave to Channel 14, where she suggested Golan was aware of the impending attack much earlier than the Prime Minister. She stated Golan was dressed and ready early on October 7, "at a very, very early hour, that others did not know, such as the Prime Minister."

Following her comments, Golan sent a legal notice to Sara Netanyahu demanding an apology and correction within 24 hours, along with compensation to be donated to Nova massacre survivors. However, Sara Netanyahu rejected the demand, asserting that Golan should apologize for his past words and actions, according to political commentator Amit Segal.