Netanyahu Threatens Defamation Lawsuit Over False Blood Libel Claims

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vehemently denied reports on Monday that he received a warning from Egypt prior to the October 7th Hamas attacks. Netanyahu stated that he never met or spoke with the then-head of Egyptian General Intelligence, Abbas Kamel, nor did any Israeli intelligence official convey an Egyptian warning to him.

Netanyahu announced his intention to file a defamation lawsuit over these reports, which he characterized as a "false blood libel." He further asserted that he never meets or speaks with foreign intelligence chiefs without their Israeli counterparts present. The Prime Minister accused the "left-wing media" of conducting a "despicable and false campaign" to shift blame for Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar's alleged failures on October 7th onto him.

Netanyahu claimed that on the night of October 7th, Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar held numerous conversations with then-IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and head of Military Intelligence Aharon Haliva, discussing all the warning signs. Despite this, Netanyahu alleged, Bar decided not to contact or update the Prime Minister, not to alert reserve units and IDF forces in the field, and not to evacuate the Nova music festival, only dispatching a small "Tequila team," which Netanyahu suggested proves Bar knew of a real danger.

Furthermore, Netanyahu suggested that foreign and hostile entities, including Arab states, are behind these "false blood libels." He believes their goal is to topple his right-wing government and replace it with a left-wing government supported by Arab parties, led by figures like Gantz, Ya'alon, and Lieberman. This hypothetical government, he claimed, would withdraw from Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and the West Bank, and establish a Palestinian state, framing the upcoming election as a choice between his government or a Palestinian state.