Netanyahu Accused of Blaming Shin Bet Chief to Evade Responsibility for October 7 Failures

Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar is reportedly considering a defamation lawsuit against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alleging that Netanyahu "betrayed" him by withholding crucial intelligence that could have altered the response to the October 7th Hamas attack. Bar claims he warned Netanyahu of the impending disaster, but his warnings were ignored. The article argues that a defamation suit is not the appropriate venue to determine responsibility for the failures leading up to the attack, suggesting a state-commissioned independent inquiry is necessary.

Netanyahu's defense, "I didn't know," is challenged by the assertion that the relevant question is whether he "should have known," given his position and responsibilities. The article posits that Netanyahu is attempting to shift blame onto Bar and the security establishment, particularly after numerous internal and external warnings about Hamas's intentions were reportedly ignored. This alleged "betrayal from within" narrative is seen as a tactic to deflect responsibility from Netanyahu himself.

The piece further questions the lack of proactive measures, such as reinforcing border defenses, despite the abundance of warnings. It suggests Netanyahu may have prioritized strategic considerations, like advancing normalization with Saudi Arabia or weakening the Palestinian Authority by strengthening Hamas, over immediate security concerns. The "complete abandonment" of the border, despite clear indications of an impending attack, is highlighted as a critical failure for which Netanyahu lacks a satisfactory explanation.

The article also touches upon the strained relationship between Netanyahu and Bar, exacerbated by Bar's affidavit in a High Court petition regarding his dismissal. Bar stated he was not a "personal confidant" of the Prime Minister, a sentiment that reportedly angered Netanyahu. The piece notes Netanyahu's pattern of appointing loyalists to key positions, citing his appointments to the Shin Bet and Mossad after Bar's resignation.

Finally, the digest mentions that international publications, including The New York Times, The Atlantic, and The Wall Street Journal, have reinforced reports of Netanyahu ignoring warnings, with US support now extending beyond military aid to include bolstering publications critical of the Prime Minister.