Ex-Shin Bet Chief Sues Netanyahu Over Oct. 7 Blame Game

Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar announced Monday he is filing a defamation lawsuit against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, escalating their public dispute over responsibility for the October 7 Hamas attacks. Bar is demanding the release of documents and testimony related to information and warnings allegedly conveyed to Netanyahu prior to the assault.

The legal action follows Netanyahu's accusations that Bar committed "crimes" and knew of a "real danger" on the night of October 7 but failed to inform him. Netanyahu claimed Bar held numerous discussions with then-IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and former Military Intelligence head Aharon Haliva that night, reviewing "all the indicators" of Hamas preparations in Gaza.

Bar's statement indicated he would seek to uncover Netanyahu's meeting schedules with security officials and foreign entities, and subpoena staff from the Prime Minister's office. He accused them of participating in a "manipulative campaign" against him, calling Netanyahu's actions a "wild incitement campaign disconnected from reality." Bar asserted that Netanyahu, after years of evading responsibility and blocking an independent investigation, is now selectively releasing documents out of context to deflect blame as testimonies about prior warnings emerge.

Bar's office emphasized that as Shin Bet chief, he had warned Netanyahu of an "unprecedented imminent disaster" and accused the Prime Minister of ignoring these warnings and recommendations to restore deterrence and bolster border defenses. While initially willing to await an official investigation, Bar stated he could no longer tolerate Netanyahu's "chain of lies" and "manipulation of protocols" as the extent of the warnings received before October 7 becomes clearer.

In a related development, Israel's Kan 11 reported that Bar and Halevi did not speak directly on the night before October 7, contradicting Netanyahu's claims. Communications that night were reportedly between their offices, with Bar's office initiating contact with Halevi. A senior security official involved in the October 7 investigation called Netanyahu's statement a "false picture" and "incitement," asserting the Prime Minister knows it is untrue. Netanyahu's office did not respond to these reports.