Netanyahu Received UAE Warning of Hamas Attack Before Oct. 7, Report Claims

A report alleges that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received a direct warning from the ruler of the United Arab Emirates approximately 10 days before the October 7th Hamas attacks, explicitly stating that Yahya Sinwar was planning a major operation that could ignite the entire region. The report, based on an excerpt from an upcoming book by journalists Shlomi Eldar and Ruth Yuval, claims Netanyahu took no action in response to this intelligence.

Netanyahu's office has denied the report. The author expresses outrage and a sense of abandonment, emphasizing Netanyahu's responsibility as prime minister to safeguard Israel, regardless of whether one voted for him. The article contrasts this alleged inaction with the author's initial intention to write about the practicalities of moving apartments, highlighting how the news overshadows personal matters.

The piece also delves into the upcoming Israeli elections, scheduled for 47 days from the article's publication. It discusses the potential for a political stalemate, where no bloc can form a government without the support of Arab parties, which have publicly stated they are not an option for coalition building. Such a stalemate could lead to a prolonged period of a caretaker government, limiting its ability to enact major policies but still posing risks to Israel's international standing and domestic stability.

Alternative scenarios include decisive victories for either the bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot or Netanyahu's bloc. The author speculates on factors that could influence these outcomes, such as Netanyahu's potential withdrawal from politics or a significant security escalation. The piece expresses concern that a decisive victory for the current right-wing coalition could lead to irreversible damage to Israel's democratic character, economy, and social fabric, potentially causing further emigration.

However, the author offers a note of reassurance, suggesting that emigration is not necessarily permanent and that Israelis have strong ties to their homeland. The article concludes by emphasizing that even a victory for the liberal camp would require extensive and long-term efforts to repair damage caused by the current government, but that a future where the prime minister prioritizes national security is a realistic possibility.