Conspiracy Theory of 'Internal Betrayal' Blamed for October 7th Failures
A dangerous conspiracy theory, known as 'internal betrayal,' has gained traction in Israel following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks. This theory posits that traitors within Israel aided Hamas or hindered the IDF's response, despite a lack of evidence. Initially circulating on social media, the narrative was amplified by government spokespeople and pro-government media outlets, including Channel 14 and implicitly, Sara Netanyahu.
The theory emerged in the initial hours of the attack, fueled by the scale of the Hamas assault and the delayed Israeli response. Claims of internal assistance or deliberate obstruction by Israeli elements quickly spread from WhatsApp groups to X and Telegram, eventually reaching mainstream media. Various versions suggest the Israeli Air Force intentionally refrained from intervening, or that security officials knowingly allowed the attack to proceed.
This conspiracy theory has evolved to include accusations against opposition figures, protest leaders, and elements within the justice system, alleging they were complicit in a plot to facilitate the disaster and use it against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. These claims are unsubstantiated and appear to serve a political agenda. For instance, in November 2023, Channel 14 aired claims suggesting protest activists were aware of the impending attack, a notion without evidence.
Specific individuals have been targeted, including baseless accusations against the husband of activist Shkema Bressler, who is suing for defamation. Security officials, including the former head of the Mossad, have refuted these claims. Channel 14 has also faced scrutiny for promoting misinformation, including false claims against former IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Yair Golan, who participated in rescue efforts on October 7th. Prime Minister Netanyahu has defended his wife, Sara Netanyahu, against defamation claims related to Golan, while also stating he does not believe there was internal betrayal, only a failure.
Further iterations of the conspiracy theory suggest that senior military and security officials deliberately withheld information from Netanyahu on the night of October 7th to undermine him. However, documented timelines show that information was indeed passed to Netanyahu's office and the National Security Council. The article argues that the focus on 'betrayal' distracts from a necessary examination of systemic failures in intelligence, preparedness, and response, shifting responsibility from decision-makers to an imagined internal enemy.
