Ex-Shin Bet Chief Sued for NIS 2.5 Million Over October 7 Failures
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Elkana Federman, a security officer injured at the Nova festival on October 7, is suing former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar for NIS 2.5 million. The lawsuit alleges Bar was negligent by not fully sharing critical intelligence about the impending Hamas attack. Federman claims this intelligence could have led to the festival's evacuation and prevented his injuries. The suit seeks compensation for physical and emotional damages.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Elkana Federman is suing former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar for NIS 2.5 million over alleged negligence on October 7.
- The lawsuit claims Bar failed to fully share critical intelligence that could have prevented the Nova festival attack.
- Intelligence included unusual SIM card activations and warnings from a human source about Hamas operatives.
- Federman alleges Bar's actions, like dispatching a special unit, indicated his own anticipation of an incursion.
- The plaintiff seeks compensation for physical and emotional damages, lost earnings, and pain and suffering.
Elkana Federman, who served as the security officer for the Nova festival and was injured during the October 7 Hamas attack, has filed a NIS 2.5 million lawsuit against former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar. The lawsuit, submitted to the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court, alleges that Bar's conduct in the hours leading up to the attack was negligent. Federman claims that crucial intelligence information in Bar's possession was not fully shared with relevant parties who could have acted to evacuate the festival.
According to the lawsuit, the Shin Bet received several unusual indicators the night before the attack, including the activation of dozens to hundreds of Israeli SIM cards allegedly prepared for Hamas operatives, and abnormal movements and communication patterns among senior Hamas officials. A human source also reportedly alerted to Hamas operatives gathering in mosques and meeting points, with this information reaching Bar.
Federman contends that this specific human intelligence, described as a "game-changer," was not presented during a situation assessment meeting at Southern Command around 3 AM. He argues that this information could have altered the interpretation of other intelligence signs. The lawsuit also points to Bar's decision to dispatch the Shin Bet's "Tequila" team to the south, suggesting Bar himself was preparing for the possibility of an incursion into Israel.
Federman asserts that Bar "did not fully report to Southern Command," and that if all the information had been conveyed, the army would have prepared differently, and the Nova festival would have received different consideration. The suit further claims Bar should have directly warned the police securing the event about the possibility of infiltration or kidnapping, but "through his negligence, he did not lift a finger to protect the festival attendees, including the plaintiff."
Federman argues that if an appropriate warning had been issued, the party would have been stopped and the area evacuated hours before the rocket fire and infiltration began, thus preventing his injuries. He is seeking compensation for physical and emotional damages, lost earnings, and pain and suffering.
