Likud Accuses Palestinian Official Dahlan of Fabricating Haaretz Report

Israel's ruling Likud party issued a sharp response Tuesday, accusing senior Palestinian official Mohammed Dahlan of being behind a "false" report published by the newspaper Haaretz. The report alleged that the UAE president had warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of an impending attack before October 7. Likud claimed Dahlan, who resides in the UAE, is attempting to interfere in Israeli elections and seeks to overthrow Netanyahu's right-wing government to gain control of Gaza.

Likud further alleged that a left-wing organization, connected to Yair Golan's 'The Democrats' party, paid for the story to be published. The party questioned a recent "secret" visit by Yair Golan and Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar to the UAE, suggesting a link to the "false" publication. The Likud called for a criminal investigation into Haaretz journalists Shlomi Eldar and Ruth Yuval, the newspaper itself, Yair Golan, and The Democrats party for suspected election interference with foreign elements.

Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Netanyahu announced his intention to file a defamation lawsuit against Haaretz, Eldar, and others over the report. Netanyahu's office stated that an investigation found no record of any conversation between him and the UAE president between early September and October 7. They asserted that policy talks between the leaders are conducted via a special encrypted device brought by a UAE representative, and such conversations are documented. Netanyahu's office also refuted claims attributed to Eldar that Egypt had warned him of a potential attack, a claim previously denied.

Netanyahu characterized the report as a "malicious fabrication with clear political timing" and part of the "left's election campaign." He also reiterated his stance that former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and former IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi saw warning signs hours before the October 7 attack but failed to update him, suggesting that a proper alert could have prevented the "terrible massacre."

Haaretz stood by its report, stating, "We stand behind the publication."