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

Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar announced Monday he will file a defamation lawsuit against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The suit stems from what Bar's office described as a "shameless and baseless incitement campaign" by Netanyahu against the former head of the security agency.

Bar is demanding the disclosure of all documents, meeting schedules, and intelligence warnings provided to Netanyahu prior to the October 7th Hamas attacks. He also intends to summon members of the Prime Minister's Office and his aides to testify, alleging they are assisting Netanyahu in a "manipulative campaign."

According to a statement from Bar's office, Netanyahu has "refused for three years to admit responsibility and prevented the public, by any means, from establishing a state inquiry commission." The statement further claims that Netanyahu is now attempting to deflect blame for the October 7th failures by accusing those who warned him in real-time.

Bar's office asserted that as Shin Bet chief, Bar had "unprecedentedly" warned the Prime Minister of an impending disaster, which Netanyahu allegedly ignored, along with recommendations to restore deterrence and strengthen the border. Bar stated that he had initially waited for the establishment of an inquiry commission but could no longer tolerate the "stream of lies, distortion of facts, manipulation of protocols, and dissemination of misleading information."

Bar has instructed his lawyers to file the lawsuit and to summon anyone who distorted documents or spread false and defamatory information against him. He is calling on Netanyahu to immediately reveal all documents so the public can see the "whole truth without manipulation." The lawsuit, Bar's office stated, is also crucial to protect the memory of the fallen, the honor of Shin Bet personnel, and the truth that Netanyahu is allegedly trying to distort through an incitement campaign against security leaders.