Netanyahu Aide Denies UAE Warning Before Oct. 7 Attack

Topaz Luk, an advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Tuesday refuted a report by the newspaper Haaretz claiming Netanyahu received a direct warning from the UAE about Hamas's planned large-scale attack approximately ten days before October 7. Luk stated in an interview with Kan public broadcasting that a review found no evidence of such a call during the specified period. He emphasized that high-level communications typically involve national security advisors or military secretaries and are officially documented, adding that Netanyahu would not have kept such a warning to himself.

Luk also addressed reports about redacted entries in Netanyahu's schedule from late September 2023, asserting that a review with the Prime Minister's Chief of Staff, Tzachi Braverman, confirmed these meetings were with Israeli officials, not foreign representatives. Haaretz had reported that UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed warned Netanyahu of a "big move" by Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, a claim the Prime Minister's office dismissed as "absolute lies."

Regarding Netanyahu's actions on the morning of October 7, Luk defended the Prime Minister's arrival at the Ministry of Defense in Tel Aviv before 8 AM, countering criticism about his timeline. The Prime Minister's office had previously released a schedule detailing Netanyahu receiving initial updates at 6:29 AM and speaking with his military secretary at 6:44 AM before departing for the Ministry of Defense at 7:30 AM, arriving at 8:22 AM. Luk also denied that Netanyahu waited three hours to contact the IDF Chief of Staff.

In other matters, Luk confirmed that Sara Netanyahu's interview on Channel 14 was reviewed by the Prime Minister's office before broadcast. He praised the actions of Yair Golan on October 7, stating that all who fought that day deserve recognition. Luk denied plans to reserve a spot for Yair Netanyahu on the Likud party list and acknowledged that Netanyahu erred in his early war-time tweets criticizing security officials. Regarding Netanyahu's ongoing trial, Luk stated no plea bargain negotiations are underway, and any deal would require an admission of a conspiracy against the Prime Minister and an apology.