Netanyahu Claims Ignorance of Who Met Egyptian Spy Chief Before Oct. 7

By דסק C14

Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba

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Hebrew · 12 newsrooms covering

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated he does not know who met with Egyptian Intelligence Chief Abbas Kamel before the October 7th attacks, despite Kamel's visit to Israel. Netanyahu denied meeting Kamel himself, claiming he was at a memorial ceremony. Commentator Itamar Fleishman described Netanyahu's statements as dramatic and part of a new communication strategy. Fleishman also urged former Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar to reveal his account of the events.

The story in 5 lines · by baba

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims he does not know who met with Egyptian Intelligence Chief Abbas Kamel before October 7.
Netanyahu stated he did not meet Kamel, as he was attending a memorial ceremony for fallen soldiers.
Commentator Itamar Fleishman called Netanyahu's statements dramatic and suggested they are part of a new political strategy.
Fleishman urged former Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar to publicly disclose his account of events preceding the Hamas attack.
Netanyahu suggested that whoever met Kamel is trying to shift blame onto him.

Netanyahu Claims Ignorance of Who Met Egyptian Spy Chief Before Oct. 7 — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in a recent interview that he does not know who met with the Egyptian Intelligence Chief, Abbas Kamel, during his visit to Israel prior to the October 7th Hamas attacks. Netanyahu asserted that he himself did not meet with Kamel, as he was attending a memorial ceremony for fallen soldiers at the time. He questioned why the identity of the Israeli officials who met with Kamel has not been revealed, suggesting that whoever did meet him is attempting to shift blame onto him.

Commentator Itamar Fleishman discussed Netanyahu's remarks on "News Morning," calling them "completely dramatic." Fleishman noted that this statement aligns with recent messaging from Netanyahu and the Likud party, including attacks on the Attorney General. He questioned why the media has not disclosed the identity of the individuals on the plane with Kamel, implying that the answer is known but not being revealed.

Fleishman suggested that Netanyahu's shift in communication style, becoming less "statesmanlike" in recent weeks, is a response to accusations of betrayal regarding the October 7th failures. He believes Netanyahu feels he has a "very serious case" to present in his defense.

Fleishman also called on former Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar to publicly share his account of the events leading up to the massacre, stating that significant pressure is being applied to Bar from the left to break his silence. Fleishman emphasized that he would not reveal the name of the official who met Kamel until that person or a journalist officially discloses it.