Bennett Claims Netanyahu Ignored UAE Warning Before Oct. 7

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett stated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ignored explicit warnings from the UAE president and other officials in the days leading up to the October 7th Hamas attacks, thereby leading Israel into a major disaster out of arrogance. Bennett's remarks come in response to a report in the Haaretz newspaper alleging that Netanyahu received a direct warning from the UAE president about a "major operation" planned by Hamas leader Sinwar, but failed to update security officials. Bennett claimed Netanyahu was too deeply invested in his belief that Hamas was an asset and in his communications with Hamas and Qatar to heed the warnings, asserting Netanyahu bears direct responsibility for the disaster.

The Prime Minister's Office vehemently denied the report, calling it a "complete lie" and stating Netanyahu did not speak with the UAE president during the relevant period nor receive any warning from him. Topaz Lok, a close advisor to Netanyahu, also denied the report, stating such a conversation did not occur and that any relevant information would have been passed to the appropriate channels. Leaders from opposition parties, including Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, Avigdor Lieberman, and Yair Golan, issued a joint statement demanding the truth and calling for an immediate state inquiry commission in the next government, accusing Netanyahu of lying and attempting to shift blame to the security establishment while ignoring direct warnings.

The Haaretz report also detailed that Netanyahu spoke with the IDF Chief of Staff on the morning of October 7th only after three hours, and mentioned warning letters from military intelligence to Netanyahu between March and July 2023.