Netanyahu Accuses Former Shin Bet Chief of 'Crimes' Ahead of October 7

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has launched a sharp attack on former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, accusing him of "crimes" related to his actions prior to the October 7th Hamas attack. Netanyahu alleged on his X account that Bar "knew of a real danger on the night of October 7th" and "deliberately chose not to call and update the Prime Minister, not to alert the reserve forces and IDF forces in the field, not to evacuate the Nova party." Netanyahu further claimed that Bar "only sent a small Tequila team," which he presented as proof of prior knowledge of a significant threat. He also reiterated denials of reports that he met with Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel days before the attack and received a warning, stating he "never meets or speaks with the head of a foreign intelligence service without their Israeli counterparts."

Netanyahu's accusations echo conspiracy theories suggesting Bar had advance knowledge of Hamas's plans. In contrast, Bar, in a court affidavit, stated he "asked to update the Prime Minister at 05:15" on October 7th and that the Shin Bet had disseminated an alert at 03:03 regarding Hamas's "unusual readiness and possibility of offensive intentions." Bar's affidavit detailed the Shin Bet's extensive warnings to the political echelon throughout 2023 about deteriorating security and the potential for a "perfect storm." He also asserted that the Prime Minister's Military Secretary was updated at 03:00, and the Prime Minister himself only received his first call from his Military Secretary at 06:29, despite Bar's instructions.

Sources close to Ronen Bar responded by stating that Netanyahu is "losing his composure" and attempting to deflect responsibility. They expressed hope that an upcoming inquiry commission would investigate the events leading up to October 7th impartially. These sources claim the Prime Minister's Military Secretary was updated at 03:00 and that Netanyahu is "desecrating the truth and the fallen" to escape accountability. Gadi Eisenkot, head of the "Yisrael" party, called Netanyahu's statements "false" and "dangerous," accusing him of spreading "toxic lies and dangerous betrayal conspiracies" to evade responsibility for the "worst of Israel's disasters."