Haaretz Report on Pre-Oct 7 Warning Dominates Netanyahu's Campaign Event
A Haaretz investigative report alleging that UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about an imminent Hamas attack approximately ten days before October 7 has overshadowed a Likud party event. The report claims bin Zayed detailed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar's preparations for a major operation, warning of bloodshed, regional instability, and damage to the Abraham Accords. According to Haaretz, Netanyahu responded calmly, believing the greater threat was from the West Bank, and did not relay the full details to senior security officials.
Netanyahu's office has vehemently denied the report, stating no such call occurred and no direct Emirati warning was received. The UAE confirmed open channels for information exchange but declined to comment on specific reports or leader conversations. The controversy has reignited questions about what Israeli leadership knew before the October 7th attack and what actions were taken.
The Haaretz investigation suggests the alleged Emirati warning was part of broader intelligence, including information about Sinwar's movements and a message from him about a "great surprise" and "earthquake." The report claims Netanyahu reassured bin Zayed of Israel's readiness but reiterated his focus on the West Bank threat. This narrative, though denied by Netanyahu, has become a focal point in the election campaign, shifting the focus from security failures to the Prime Minister's personal knowledge and decision-making.
Opposition figures, including Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, and Avigdor Lieberman, have seized on the report, demanding an immediate investigation and questioning Netanyahu's awareness and actions. They accuse him of personal responsibility for the October 7th failures and have pledged to establish a formal inquiry committee if they form the next government.
Netanyahu has dismissed the report as "slander" and "fabrication" with political motives, initiating legal action against Haaretz and its journalists. He has also accused former Palestinian official Mohammed Dahlan of orchestrating the report in coordination with the UAE, the Israeli opposition, and foreign entities, though no public evidence has been presented to support these claims. Netanyahu aims to reframe the narrative, focusing on the alleged motives behind the report rather than the content of the alleged warning.
The current confrontation is a battle over the narrative surrounding the October 7th failures. Netanyahu seeks to place responsibility on security and military bodies, while the opposition insists on the political leadership's culpability. This struggle intensifies as elections approach, with Netanyahu facing rivals who present themselves as experienced security figures. The outcome could significantly impact Netanyahu's political image, especially if further evidence emerges supporting the claims of prior warnings.
