Netanyahu Warned of Pre-Oct. 7 Attack Risks, Report Claims
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
A Channel 12 report revealed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received multiple warnings from security chiefs about potential threats in the months before the October 7th Hamas attack. These warnings included letters from former IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant detailing concerns about eroding deterrence and internal crises. Netanyahu allegedly dismissed some warnings, suspecting political motives related to the judicial overhaul. Following the report, PR professional Roni Rehob publicly called for Netanyahu's resignation, accusing him and other coalition members of responsibility for the attack.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Prime Minister Netanyahu received multiple warnings from security chiefs before the October 7th attack, according to a Channel 12 report.
- Former IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi warned of eroding deterrence in a March 2023 letter, which was not discussed in a meeting.
- Former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned in September 2023 that internal crises were damaging Israel's deterrence.
- Netanyahu's associates claimed he suspected warnings were politically motivated attempts to thwart government reforms.
- PR professional Roni Rehob called for Netanyahu's resignation, stating he had "blood on his hands."
- Rehob also blamed ministers Yariv Levin, Itamar Ben-Gvir, Bezalel Smotrich, and Simcha Rothman for the October 7th attack.
A special report by Yaron Abramov on Channel 12's "Main Edition" has revealed a series of warning letters, documents, and testimonies from closed-door conversations indicating that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was alerted by security chiefs in the months leading up to the October 7th Hamas attack.
The report includes a letter from former IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi dated March 21, 2023, warning of eroding deterrence and stating that "enemies in all arenas recognize an opportunity to accelerate a process that, in their view, will ultimately lead to Israel's collapse." Halevi requested a meeting with the Prime Minister and generals to discuss this, but it did not occur. Netanyahu reportedly reacted angrily to another warning letter from Halevi on July 23, stating, "It's not us! They should talk to those in Kaplan." (Kaplan refers to protest organizers against the government's judicial overhaul).
Just one month before the attack, on September 7, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant sent a seven-page letter warning that the escalating internal crisis "deepens the erosion of Israel's image among our enemies and exacerbates the damage to deterrence." The report suggests Netanyahu received these warnings with suspicion, with his associates claiming he feared they were an "attempt to thwart the reform and bring down the government."
Netanyahu allegedly rejected several requests for urgent joint meetings with Halevi, Shin Bet head Ronen Bar, and Mossad head David Barnea. He was quoted as telling generals in a forum, "I'm putting 80 billion shekels on you a year, and you're staging a rebellion against me."
The report also revealed a draft statement prepared by spokesperson Topaz Lok on the night of Gallant's dismissal on March 26. The draft stated Netanyahu decided to "freeze the recent planned moves until after the national holidays, both regarding the reform and the continuation of the Defense Minister's term" and proposed opening dialogue. However, Netanyahu hesitated, and the statement was shelved.
In response to the report's revelations, public relations professional Roni Rehob posted a sharp social media message calling for Netanyahu's resignation. "Benjamin Netanyahu, after the Channel 12 exposé, get up and resign!" Rehob wrote. "You have blood on your hands! Shame! The entire nation understands why you are not establishing a state commission of inquiry." Rehob also attacked Yariv Levin, Itamar Ben-Gvir, Bezalel Smotrich, and Simcha Rothman, holding them "responsible for October 7th."
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