Likud Party Demands Criminal Probe into "Haaretz" Journalists, Political Rivals

The Likud party has launched a sharp attack against the Israeli newspaper "Haaretz," its journalists, the Democratic Party, and its leader Yair Golan. This comes in response to a report published by "Haaretz" journalists Shlomi Eldar and Ruth Yuval, which claimed that UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about an impending significant action by Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar approximately a week and a half before the October 7th attacks. Likud is demanding a criminal investigation into those involved, alleging "an attempt to disrupt elections with foreign elements."

In a statement, Likud declared the "real affair" to be "blatant foreign interference in Israeli elections." The party asserted that the "false report" by "Haaretz" was orchestrated by Palestinian senior official Mohammed Dahlan, who resides in the UAE. Likud claims Dahlan, who has formed a joint list with Hamas for Palestinian Authority elections, aims to overthrow the right-wing government led by Netanyahu to gain control of the Gaza Strip. They further allege that Dahlan desires a weak left-wing government, including figures like Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman, Yair Golan, and Arab parties, which would withdraw from Gaza and cede it to his control.

Likud hinted at a conspiracy, suggesting that Eldar received payment from a left-wing organization linked to Yair Golan's Democratic Party to spread the "false narrative." They also questioned a secret visit by Yair Golan and Ronen Bar to the UAE two months prior, asking if it was connected to the "Haaretz" publication.

The "Haaretz" report, citing a close advisor to the UAE president, stated that bin Zayed warned Netanyahu in late September 2023 that Sinwar was planning a significant move against Israel. Despite bin Zayed urging Netanyahu to act, the Prime Minister reportedly responded calmly, believing Hamas intended to act in the West Bank and that Israel was prepared for any scenario. The report detailed a 45-minute conversation where the UAE president expressed concern that the event could lead to bloodshed, destabilize the region, and harm the Abraham Accords. The advisor reportedly urged Israel to prepare and suggested finding an economic solution for Gaza and calming the West Bank.

A source close to the UAE government confirmed to N12 that a warning was indeed conveyed to Israel before October 7th, stating they heard about it soon after the war began. This provides the first confirmation from the Gulf of direct warning channels operating with Jerusalem before the attack. The source criticized leaders willing to "gamble with your lives for half an hour in power," noting that the official statement did not deny the event.