Netanyahu Sues Media Outlets for $800,000 Over October 7th Attack Reports

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has filed defamation lawsuits totaling nearly 3 million shekels (approximately $800,000 USD) against several Israeli media outlets and journalists. The lawsuits stem from publications alleging that Netanyahu received warnings about a potential Hamas attack shortly before October 7, 2023. The Likud party, Netanyahu's political faction, has labeled these reports as false. The party also pointed to previous denials from the UAE and Egypt regarding any warnings they might have issued to Netanyahu about an impending assault.

The defendants include the newspapers Haaretz and Yedioth Ahronoth, the news service Hadashot 12, and journalists and commentators Shlomi Eldar, Uri Misgav, Nadav Eyal, Barak Ravid, and Atila Shomfalvi. Netanyahu had previously announced his intention to sue Haaretz and Shlomi Eldar following a report claiming he received a warning from UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed shortly before the October 7th attack. In response to that specific publication, the Prime Minister's office stated that checks of phone logs and visitor records did not confirm any such contact.