Author Questions Timing of Warnings Ahead of October 7th

Columnist Zalman Shoval questions the timing of alleged warnings about the October 7th attacks, noting that while such information is highly relevant, it surfaced only on the eve of elections after three years of silence. He criticizes the use of such sensitive matters for election propaganda, stating that any connection to truth is purely coincidental. Shoval points out that the UAE government has denied receiving security information that was not also shared with Israeli intelligence, suggesting that if there are culprits, they should be sought within Israel's Shin Bet and Aman intelligence units. He questions whether any received warnings were deemed unimportant, thus not relayed to the Prime Minister or Defense Minister.

Shoval also addresses reports of a warning from Egyptian intelligence, suggesting that a general alert about the situation in Gaza and the need for economic aid might not have been interpreted as an immediate threat. He dismisses claims of foreign media reports as potential disinformation, explaining how local information can be planted in foreign outlets. The author believes that the public's concern, similar to the shock following the Yom Kippur War, necessitates a widely accepted investigative committee to provide answers.

Furthermore, Shoval discusses a contrasting narrative, where the Prime Minister is accused of spreading false security warnings for electoral gain. He contrasts this with the "Fly Dubai" incident, which he suggests retroactively validated a warning and demonstrated how reality can exceed imagination. While acknowledging that the incident, particularly concerning Dubai, might warrant investigation, he argues that the biased headlines misdirect blame, as security protocols and oversight, even for El Al flights, fall under the Shin Bet's purview. Shoval concludes that while there are legitimate reasons to be dissatisfied with the government's performance, including the political echelon's responsibility for the October 7th disaster, fabricating misleading scenarios for political purposes harms the pursuit of truth, risks future failures, and could damage vital intelligence cooperation.