Shin Bet Files Complaint Over Netanyahu's UAE Visit Leak

The Shin Bet security agency has filed a sharp complaint with the Chief Military Censor demanding accountability for Channel 12's reporting on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent secret visit to the United Arab Emirates. The Shin Bet claims the report, aired while Netanyahu's plane was still airborne, constituted a severe censorship violation that endangered the Prime Minister's security and exposed operational methods of the agency.

According to the Shin Bet statement, the publication of the visit at that specific time posed a significant security risk to the Prime Minister, the mission, and forces on the ground. Furthermore, the report revealed the agency's operational methods, potentially jeopardizing future operations. The complaint specifically highlights that the report was broadcast at 9:38 PM, with Netanyahu's plane landing in Israel only about an hour later.

In parallel, the Prime Minister's Office revealed the composition of the delegation that accompanied Netanyahu to the UAE, stating that the leak also endangered the lives of the Prime Minister and his wife. The delegation included the head of the Mossad, the National Security Advisor, Military Secretary Maj. Gen. Guy Marzano, the head of the Shin Bet's security division, the aircrew, and the security team.

The Mossad provided an opinion on the severity of the breach, stating that the leak posed a grave security threat to the Prime Minister and the delegation, labeling the publication as a serious incident causing damage to Israel's national security.

Netanyahu's secret visit to the UAE took place on Sunday, where he met with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed for approximately six hours. The visit occurred amidst ongoing political controversy in Israel regarding alleged prior warnings Netanyahu received before the October 7th attacks. According to Haaretz newspaper, the UAE President had contacted Netanyahu ten days before the Hamas attack, warning him of a large-scale plot, a claim Netanyahu has vehemently denied. AP reported that Netanyahu urged bin Zayed during their meeting to issue an official denial of the early warning reports, but the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a vague response, stating Abu Dhabi maintains open communication lines with Israel without directly addressing the meeting's content or the denial request.