Ex-Shin Bet Chief Sues Netanyahu for Defamation Over Oct. 7 Claims
Translated & summarized from Channel 13 by baba
Former Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar is suing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for millions of shekels in a defamation case. Bar alleges Netanyahu falsely claimed he withheld Oct. 7 intelligence. The lawsuit details numerous warnings Bar claims Netanyahu ignored throughout 2023 regarding Hamas's intentions and buildup. Bar seeks to reveal the truth in court, citing his own responsibility for intelligence failures and his opposition to policies that allegedly funded Hamas.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar sued Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for defamation, alleging false claims about Oct. 7 intelligence.
- Bar's lawsuit details numerous warnings he claims Netanyahu ignored throughout 2023 about Hamas's intentions.
- The former Shin Bet director stated that decisive action is needed to restore truth due to leadership based on lies.
- Bar's legal filing includes recommendations for preemptive strikes and assassinations of Hamas leaders.
- The lawsuit references Bar's previous claims that Netanyahu sought to use Shin Bet against protesters.
- Bar acknowledged the Shin Bet's intelligence failures regarding the Oct. 7 attack, which led to his resignation.
Former Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar has filed a multi-million shekel defamation lawsuit against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The lawsuit stems from Netanyahu's claim that Bar knew of a real danger on the morning of October 7th but deliberately withheld information from him in real-time. Bar's lawsuit includes details of intelligence warnings and recommendations provided to Netanyahu throughout 2023, which he claims were ignored.
Bar stated that he waited three years for a state inquiry commission but decided to speak out due to the Prime Minister's "unbridled outburst." He asserted that in an era of leadership based on lies, decisive action is needed to restore truth to public discourse and counter a system of loyalty and fear. Bar emphasized that this is a moral and security obligation and urged the Prime Minister not to hide behind immunity, stating that the truth will emerge in court in the absence of a state commission.
The lawsuit details a timeline of warnings, including a November 2022 meeting where Bar alerted Netanyahu to Sinwar's intentions and recommended his assassination. Subsequent warnings in January, February, and March 2023 highlighted Sinwar's desire for a multi-front conflict and the "perfect storm" created by Israel's internal divisions. Bar also presented intelligence assessments in May 2023 suggesting Sinwar was undergoing a "messianic process," which Netanyahu reportedly feared would lead to retaliatory attacks against him personally.
Further warnings in July and August 2023, including a strategic alert for war, emphasized that Israel's enemies were exploiting internal rifts. Bar's recommendations included preemptive strikes and a "reality-altering move" against Hamas. Despite these warnings, including one on October 1st, 2023, recommending the assassination of senior Hamas figures, Bar claims Netanyahu pursued a policy of containment, quiet, and funding Hamas's buildup, including Qatari money for tunnels and terrorists.
Bar also addressed his own responsibility, acknowledging the Shin Bet's intelligence failures regarding the October 7th attack and its timing, which led to his resignation. He reiterated his opposition to the transfer of Qatari funds to Gaza, stating they were used to finance Hamas. The lawsuit also references a previous affidavit filed by Bar in April of the previous year, alleging that Netanyahu had asked him to use Shin Bet resources against anti-judicial reform protesters and to support delaying Netanyahu's trial.
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