Netanyahu Denies Egyptian Warning, Accuses Shin Bet Chief of Negligence

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vehemently denied reports claiming he received a warning from Egypt in the months preceding the October 7th Hamas attack. In a statement released on Sunday, Netanyahu announced his intention to file a defamation lawsuit over the allegations. He asserted that he did not meet or speak with the head of Egyptian intelligence, Abbas Kamel, in the period leading up to the attack, nor was any Egyptian warning conveyed to him. Netanyahu also stated it is not his practice to meet foreign intelligence chiefs without their Israeli counterparts present.

Netanyahu sharply criticized recent publications and former Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) chief Ronen Bar, accusing "left-wing media" of conducting a "despicable and false campaign" to shift blame for Bar's alleged failures before October 7th onto the Prime Minister. Netanyahu claimed that on the night of October 7th, Bar held numerous conversations with then-IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and then-Head of Military Intelligence Aharon Haliva, discussing intelligence received. Despite this, Netanyahu alleged, Bar "decided not to call and update the Prime Minister, not to alert the rapid response teams and IDF forces in the field, not to evacuate the Nova party, and only to send a small 'Tequila' team."

According to Netanyahu, the dispatch of this team proves that Bar was aware of a "real danger." The Prime Minister further alleged that "hostile foreign countries and elements, including Arab countries," are behind the publications against him. He suggested their goal is to replace his government with one that includes Gadi Eisenkot, Yair Golan, and Avigdor Lieberman, alongside Arab parties. Netanyahu concluded with a political message for upcoming elections, stating, "This is the election question: it's either right-wing, or Palestine."