Ex-Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar to Sue Netanyahu Over Gaza Attack Warnings

Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar announced his intention to file a defamation lawsuit against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, escalating a sharp dispute over intelligence failures preceding the October 7th Hamas attack. The conflict erupted following a Wall Street Journal report claiming Egypt's intelligence chief personally warned Netanyahu in early October 2023 about a planned assault from Gaza. While Netanyahu denied the report and threatened to sue the newspaper, his office accused Bar of knowing about suspicious signs on the night of October 7th but failing to update the political leadership or mobilize forces.

In response to these accusations, Bar stated his lawsuit aims to compel the court to reveal official security protocols, documents, and memos that would demonstrate what warnings and intelligence were conveyed to Netanyahu and the cabinet prior to the attack. This legal move could potentially expose sensitive classified materials related to the October 7th failures. Bar's team indicated he seeks access to Netanyahu's meeting logs with security officials and foreign entities.

Furthermore, Bar intends to summon members of Netanyahu's staff and aides to testify, alleging they are assisting in a "manipulative campaign." Bar accused Netanyahu of launching a "wild and baseless incitement campaign" to deflect blame as evidence of prior warnings emerges. This legal battle marks a significant escalation in the ongoing tension between the two figures regarding responsibility for the attack.

Previously, Netanyahu had expressed a loss of confidence in Bar, blaming the security establishment for withholding information. Bar, in turn, had filed an affidavit with the High Court of Justice alleging Netanyahu made improper demands, including seeking security opinions to delay his criminal trial. This defamation suit represents a new low in relations between political leadership and former security chiefs, with such public figure lawsuits often seeking substantial damages for reputational harm.