Netanyahu Denies UAE Warning, Threatens Lawsuit Over 'False Narrative'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vehemently denied reports that he received a warning from the President of the United Arab Emirates prior to the October 7th Hamas attacks, calling the story a "false fabrication."

Netanyahu announced on Wednesday that he has instructed his lawyers to file a defamation lawsuit against the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, journalist Shlomi Eldar, and others involved in publishing the report. He asserted that no conversation took place between him and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan from early September until October 7th. According to Netanyahu, official records from his office, the National Security Council, and the Military Secretary's office show no such meeting or call.

Netanyahu further explained that policy discussions with the UAE president typically occur only at the Prime Minister's office via a special encrypted device brought by an Emirati representative, and these are always documented. He claimed Eldar himself stated in a previous interview that the alleged warning call occurred through this official channel. However, Netanyahu stated that a thorough check of his office's visitor logs also revealed no entry for an Emirati representative during the period in question, emphasizing that entry into his office requires security clearance and documentation.

Netanyahu also dismissed Eldar's claim that Egypt had warned Israel of a potential attack, a claim he said was already debunked early in the war. He characterized the report as a "malicious fabrication" with clear political timing, part of a "left-wing election campaign." He suggested that other false narratives would follow, aiming to distract from the understanding that, according to him, "Ronen Bar and Herzi Halevi saw all the signs many hours before the attack began." He posited that if they had acted to preempt the attack instead of fearing miscalculation, and had updated him promptly, the massacre could have been prevented.

The UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying the government does not comment on media stories or speculations about conversations between leaders. It reiterated the UAE's commitment to de-escalation, regional stability, and preventing violence since October 7th, and confirmed that open communication channels between the UAE and Israel have been maintained, with relevant intelligence shared when necessary.