Knesset Member Slams Former Shin Bet Chief Over Defamation Suit Against Netanyahu

Knesset Member Tali Gottlieb fiercely criticized former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar on Tuesday, responding to Bar's announcement of his intention to file a defamation lawsuit against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Bar claims he warned Netanyahu about the threat prior to the October 7th attacks, but his warnings were ignored. In the potential legal proceedings, Bar plans to seek the disclosure of documents and information provided to the prime minister before the attacks.

Gottlieb accused Bar of a "rebellion and coup" against the prime minister alongside military leadership on the eve of the October 7th events. She alleged that while Netanyahu was engaged in multiple conflicts, Bar was focused on evading responsibility for the failures leading up to the attacks, attempting to shift blame to the prime minister. Gottlieb also claimed Bar failed to inform Netanyahu of suspicions regarding potential attacks on two kibbutzim, thereby preventing the prime minister from taking timely measures to protect Israeli citizens.

"Ronen Bar truly thought that over time we would forget the rebellion and coup that he and his colleagues orchestrated, without informing the prime minister of suspicion of a breach of just two kibbutzim," Gottlieb stated. She added that Bar had hoped they would forget that they prevented the prime minister from saving Israeli citizens in real-time, asserting, "I have not forgotten."

Gottlieb urged Bar to apologize to Israelis for his role in the October 7th events, recalling the "screams of murdered men and women" and the delayed arrival of the army and aircraft. She also mentioned hostages held by Hamas and members of the Yamam special forces unit who, she claimed, requested but did not receive air support. Gottlieb further accused Bar of colluding with the Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, against National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, aiming to disrupt the right-wing government's operations.

Concluding her remarks, Gottlieb addressed Bar's defamation suit threat, stating, "Ronen Bar, you dare to threaten a lawsuit against the prime minister. The 'Kastner trial' will seem small compared to what will be revealed in this court." Bar's stated intention is to obtain documents related to information conveyed to Netanyahu before October 7th, as well as records of the prime minister's meetings with security officials and foreign representatives. He also intends to summon Netanyahu's staff and aides for questioning. The differing accounts regarding the nature of the warnings and who was informed when remain a point of contention, with disputes over the completeness of context for certain documents and protocols.