Netanyahu Denies Report of UAE Warning on Hamas Attack Before Oct. 7

A recent investigative report by Shlomi Eldar and Ruth Yuval in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz claims that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received a direct warning from the ruler of the United Arab Emirates approximately ten days before the October 7th Hamas attack. The report alleges that the UAE leader explicitly warned Netanyahu that Yahya Sinwar was planning a major operation against Israel that could ignite the entire region. According to the report, Netanyahu took no action in response to this critical intelligence.

Netanyahu's office has denied the report's claims. The article, excerpted from an upcoming book by Eldar and Yuval, expresses outrage and a sense of betrayal over the alleged inaction, emphasizing Netanyahu's responsibility as Prime Minister to safeguard the nation.

As the upcoming elections approach, with 47 days remaining, the article discusses the potential political deadlock. Current polls suggest that without the support of Arab parties, which are publicly unwilling to cooperate with certain blocs, no coalition can be formed. This scenario could lead to a prolonged period of a caretaker government, which, while limiting the damage of irreversible policy changes, could still harm Israel's international standing and domestic stability, potentially paralyzing the economy and halting crucial reforms.

The author outlines three possible election outcomes: a stalemate, a decisive victory for Benny Gantz's bloc, or a decisive victory for Netanyahu's bloc. The latter two 'edge scenarios' are considered less probable but could be influenced by major events in the coming weeks, such as Netanyahu's potential withdrawal from politics or a significant security escalation.

The article expresses concern from a liberal perspective that a decisive victory for the current right-wing coalition could lead to irreversible damage to Israel's democratic character, citing potential further attacks on the judiciary and free press. This, the author fears, could exacerbate the 'brain drain' of skilled professionals and negatively impact the economy, turning Israel into a middle-income country.

However, the author offers a note of reassurance, suggesting that while emigration is a reality, most people have strong ties to Israel and would prefer not to leave. The possibility of Israelis returning if the political climate improves is also raised. The article concludes that even a liberal victory would require extensive, long-term work to repair damage caused by the current government, but the prospect of a prime minister who prioritizes national security is presented as realistic and achievable.