Ex-Shin Bet Chief Sued for Negligence in October 7 Nova Festival Attack

Elkana Federman, former head of security for the Nova music festival, has filed a personal lawsuit for 2.5 million shekels against Ronen Bar, the former head of the Shin Bet security agency. Federman alleges that Bar's actions on October 7, 2023, left him and festival attendees without necessary protection during the Hamas attack.

Federman claims that numerous warning signals were detected within the system on October 6, and a special unit was mobilized overnight. Despite these warnings, he asserts that Bar was never interrogated about his role. Federman stated he is pursuing legal action because official bodies have not taken adequate steps, and he intends to seek a judicial investigation.

Although the lawsuit is personal, Federman urged other survivors of the Nova festival and families of the deceased to file their own lawsuits against Bar. "He caused me immense damage. Since October 7, I have lived with personal pain, my friends were killed, and it's time to deal with him. Everyone acts as they see fit. Ronen Bar is not the only one responsible for this failure, but he is the main culprit," Federman said, adding that while Prime Minister Netanyahu was in office, he was effectively not alerted.

Federman explained that he filed the lawsuit after more than a year had passed since he first submitted a complaint demanding Bar's interrogation, but claims no response was received and Bar has still not been questioned. He advocates for an independent investigative commission, distrusting official government inquiries.

Federman, who previously led the "Tkuma" party in Knesset elections, recalled its platform included establishing a commission with families of the deceased, military personnel, and security officials not directly involved in the October 7 events, along with public figures, to impartially investigate the circumstances. He believes no one has been held accountable for the failures leading to the attack, and Bar's resignation alone does not compensate for the tragedy's consequences. He encouraged other victims and families to seek justice through individual or collective legal action.

Previously, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant confirmed that the Shin Bet received a warning from Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar weeks before the October 7 attack, indicating an intention to "shake up the prisons."