Netanyahu Sues Media Outlets for $700,000 Over Hamas Attack Warning Claims

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has filed a defamation lawsuit seeking 2.6 million shekels (approximately $700,000) against a number of Israeli media organizations and journalists. The suit, filed Tuesday in the Jerusalem District Court, targets "Haaretz" newspaper and its reporters Shlomi Eldar, Ruti Yuval, and Uri Misgav; "Yedioth Ahronoth" group, ynet, and reporter Nadav Eyal; "News 12" and commentator Barak Ravid; and journalist Attila Somfalvi.

The lawsuit centers on media reports alleging that Netanyahu received advance warnings of Hamas's planned attack on October 7th but concealed them from security officials. Specifically, the reports focused on claims of a 45-minute conversation with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed about 90 minutes before the attack, and an early warning from former Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel.

Netanyahu vehemently denies these reports, calling them a "complete lie" and stating that no such conversations or direct communications with these individuals occurred during the relevant period. He asserts that the lack of official documentation from embassies and the Prime Minister's Office supports his claim.

The lawsuit emphasizes the timing of the publications, which occurred close to an election and the closing of candidate lists. The filing alleges that the journalists and media outlets knew the claims were false and waited for a sensitive political moment to manipulate voters, influence election results, and provide ammunition to his political rivals. It also dismisses claims of corroboration from foreign media, such as The New York Times, as a "circular spin" based on the same Israeli sources.

The Likud party issued a statement supporting the legal action, noting that both the UAE and Egypt denied the reports. The party called the allegations a "fabrication" aimed at toppling the right-wing government and establishing a left-wing one that would lead to a Palestinian state, framing the issue as a choice between right-wing rule or a Palestinian state.

The controversy began with investigative reports in "Haaretz" that quickly expanded to "News 12," ynet, "Yedioth Ahronoth," and social media, sparking significant public and political debate about Netanyahu's personal responsibility for the October 7th failures and the extent of his prior knowledge. Following the reports, warning letters were sent, leading to the lawsuit when the defendants refused to retract their statements, according to Netanyahu.