Allegations of Protocol Tampering and Shin Bet Chief Contacted Over Missing Information

The "October Council," an organization representing hostages, bereaved families, and survivors of the October 7th massacre, has approached top Israeli officials, including the head of the Shin Bet, the Attorney General, the Government Secretary, and the State Archivist, expressing concerns about the potential disappearance of information related to the events of October 7th. The group alleges that individuals close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may be involved in concealing this information.

According to the council's appeal, individuals who were in the Prime Minister's inner circle allegedly "threatened stenographers to alter the protocols." This concern arises in the wake of previous reports that the Prime Minister's Military Secretary at the time of the massacre, Maj. Gen. (res.) Avi Gill, had approached the Attorney General with fears that attempts were made within the Prime Minister's office to alter protocols during the war. Some sources within the Prime Minister's office had previously claimed that attempts were made to change protocols of cabinet discussions and even transcripts of security phone calls.

Former Military Secretary Avi Gill stated in media interviews that he observed "disproportionate material collection" by Netanyahu's associates early in the war. He recounted that a stenographer in the Prime Minister's office told him that former Chief of Staff Tzachi Braverman had demanded she change the time of a call Gill had with Netanyahu on the morning of October 7th. Gill suggested this behavior was characteristic of individuals who believe they are above the law, acting as if "everything is permitted." He also posited that these actions could be part of an effort to shape a narrative where the Prime Minister was the sole functional leader during the crisis. A more severe scenario, Gill noted, involves the possibility of betrayal if evidence emerges that crucial intelligence was available earlier than reported.

The "October Council" highlighted the stenographers' courage in reporting the alleged protocol changes to Avi Gill, questioning how many other protocols might have been altered. One witness, who heard about the protocol alteration from Gill, testified that Braverman insisted on changing the time from 6:40 AM to 6:29 AM, despite the stenographer's protests that the computer showed the later time. The witness also reported Braverman's subsequent enthusiasm about the Prime Minister's supposed quick response, which the witness deemed a fabrication. The stenographers reportedly felt they were being asked to do something illicit, leading them to approach Gill.

Furthermore, the families' letter includes testimony from another senior figure who claimed to possess three hidden folders of documents related to October 7th, intending to submit them to the State Archives and a state inquiry commission, expressing fear of them falling into the wrong hands. Another senior official stated that the Prime Minister manipulates public perception by selectively releasing partial truths and disconnected phrases from sensitive discussions, rather than the full context, questioning his authority to do so. Additionally, a former head of a security branch testified that as time passes, it becomes apparent that not all information was known, and some individuals chose to conceal matters.