Netanyahu Faces Opposition Fury Over Alleged UAE Warning Before Oct. 7

Political turmoil has erupted following a report alleging that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received a warning from the President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed, about an impending Hamas attack days before the October 7th massacre. The report, published by "Haaretz," has prompted a joint statement from prominent opposition figures, including Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, Avigdor Lieberman, and Yair Golan, who are demanding the immediate establishment of a state commission of inquiry.

"What did Netanyahu know, and when did he know it?" the opposition leaders questioned, asserting that this revelation necessitates a comprehensive investigation into the conduct of the political leadership prior to the attack. They stated that the Israeli public deserves to know what transpired before, during, and after October 7th, and that a state commission of inquiry must be formed by the next government, calling it a "duty of leadership to its citizens."

The "Haaretz" report claims that a 45-minute conversation took place between Netanyahu and bin Zayed shortly before the Hamas assault. During this discussion, bin Zayed allegedly warned Netanyahu about Hamas's intentions. The report further suggests that the UAE president conveyed messages, reportedly relayed through a mediator from Yahya Sinwar, indicating Hamas was preparing a "surprise" for Israel, using the term "earthquake."

However, according to the report, Netanyahu downplayed the concerns, stating that Israel's assessment was that Hamas's primary focus was on the West Bank and that Israel was prepared for all scenarios. Crucially, the report alleges that information about this conversation and the warnings was not shared with top security officials, including the heads of the Shin Bet, Mossad, and the IDF Chief of Staff.

The opposition leaders sharply criticized Netanyahu, viewing the report as further evidence of governmental failures surrounding October 7th. They argued that while Netanyahu and his allies have blamed the security establishment, "it turns out again that serious warnings came directly to him and he ignored them." They reiterated their demand for answers regarding what Netanyahu knew, when he knew it, why he didn't update security forces, and why he failed to protect Israeli citizens.

In response, the Prime Minister's Office vehemently denied the report's claims. A statement declared, "An absolute lie! Prime Minister Netanyahu did not speak with the President of the United Arab Emirates during the period in question, nor did he receive any warning from him."