Netanyahu Sues Haaretz Over Report of UAE Warning Before Oct. 7

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Tuesday he has instructed his lawyers to file a defamation lawsuit against the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, journalist Shlomi Eldar, and others. The suit follows a report published Monday alleging that UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed had warned Netanyahu of an impending Hamas attack about a week and a half before October 7.

Netanyahu vehemently denies the report, calling it a "false fabrication" and presenting what his office claims are administrative and security records proving no such conversation took place. According to Haaretz, citing sources close to the UAE president, bin Zayed warned Netanyahu of a planned "major move" by Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar that would cause bloodshed and endanger the Abraham Accords. The report further stated that Netanyahu reacted calmly, believing Hamas's intentions were focused on the West Bank, and did not share the warning with security chiefs. It also mentioned a parallel Shin Bet warning that was misinterpreted.

Netanyahu's office asserts that a thorough review of his call logs, including those at the Prime Minister's Office, the National Security Council, and the Military Secretary's office, shows no record of a conversation with bin Zayed between early September and October 7. They also point to a procedural issue, stating that sensitive calls between the leaders occur only via a special encrypted device brought physically by an official UAE representative to the Prime Minister's secure facility, a process that is always documented. Security logs for the facility during the relevant period show no entry by a UAE representative, they claim.

In his statement, titled "Lies Made by 'Haaretz'," Netanyahu also dismissed previous reports of a warning from Egyptian intelligence. His office suggests the Haaretz report is politically motivated, part of a "malicious fabrication with clear political timing" aimed at distracting from the responsibility of top security officials. Netanyahu accused Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi of seeing warning signs hours before the attack but failing to update him or prepare the military and emergency forces, allegedly out of fear of "miscalculation."