Ex-Shin Bet Chief Bar to Sue Netanyahu for Defamation Over Oct. 7 Blame

Former Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar announced Sunday his intention to file a defamation lawsuit against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Bar accuses Netanyahu of orchestrating a campaign to shift blame for the October 7 Hamas massacre onto security officials.

In a statement, Bar demanded the release of all documents, testimonies, and schedules related to information provided to the Prime Minister in the months leading up to the attack. He specifically requested Netanyahu's meeting logs with Israeli defense officials and foreign representatives prior to October 7.

Bar also plans to call witnesses from the Prime Minister's office and advisors, alleging they participated in spreading false or manipulated information about him. He claims Netanyahu selectively released partial documents out of context to hold security leaders responsible for the failures that preceded the attack.

According to the statement, Bar had previously warned Netanyahu with "unprecedented urgency" about the risk of a major security failure, but claims these warnings, along with recommendations to bolster deterrence and reinforce the Gaza border, were ignored. "Lies, distortion of facts, manipulation of reports, and the dissemination of misleading information to the public are multiplying as the scale of the warnings received before the massacre begins to emerge," the statement read.

Bar stated he had initially waited for the establishment of a state inquiry commission but felt compelled to respond to the "flood of lies" about him. He urged Netanyahu to immediately publish all relevant documents so Israelis can understand the full facts without manipulation. Bar's lawyers will also seek the appearance of individuals accused of falsifying documents and spreading defamatory information. He believes the lawsuit is necessary to defend his reputation, the memory of fallen soldiers, the honor of Shin Bet members, and the truth about the events preceding October 7. "Victory is achieved by a preemptive strike against the external enemy, not against the security forces within," the statement concluded.