Ex-Shin Bet Chief Sues Netanyahu for Defamation Over Oct. 7 Responsibility
Translated & summarized from Israel Hayom by baba
Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar sued Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for defamation, seeking millions and presenting evidence to counter Netanyahu's claims about October 7th warnings. The lawsuit details Bar's repeated warnings to Netanyahu about an imminent escalation and alleges Netanyahu ignored them while pursuing a policy that strengthened Hamas. Bar also refutes claims that the Shin Bet withheld information on the night of the attack, providing evidence of early alerts. The case could potentially reveal key details about the events leading up to October 7th if it proceeds past any immunity claims.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar sued Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for defamation and millions in damages.
- Bar's lawsuit claims he repeatedly warned Netanyahu of an imminent multi-front escalation before October 7th.
- The suit alleges Netanyahu ignored warnings and pursued a policy that allowed Hamas to strengthen.
- Bar presents evidence refuting Netanyahu's claims of being kept in the dark about the October 7th attack.
- Netanyahu may claim parliamentary immunity, potentially preventing a full hearing on the allegations.
- The lawsuit could become a venue for uncovering facts about the October 7th failures in lieu of a state inquiry.
Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar has filed a defamation lawsuit against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, seeking millions in damages. The lawsuit, submitted to the Central District Court, presents evidence and testimonies that Bar claims refute Netanyahu's assertions of not receiving repeated warnings before the October 7th Hamas attack and of being deliberately kept in the dark by security officials. Bar alleges that Netanyahu is attempting to shift blame for the failures of October 7th onto him.
The lawsuit details how Bar repeatedly warned Netanyahu in the months leading up to the attack about an imminent multi-front escalation, specifically mentioning Gaza and the High Holidays. Bar also presented initiatives to thwart senior Hamas officials, which he claims were ignored or dismissed by Netanyahu. The suit asserts that Netanyahu pursued a policy of "peace at any price" with Gaza for years, which included allowing Hamas to strengthen militarily with Qatari funding, contrary to the Shin Bet's long-held position that Hamas was deterred.
Bar's legal filing also disputes Netanyahu's claim that the Shin Bet withheld information on the night of October 7th. According to the lawsuit, the Shin Bet issued an alert to all security bodies starting at 3:03 AM, and the Prime Minister's Military Secretary and other security officials were updated. Bar also instructed an update to Netanyahu's Military Secretary before the attack began, following communication protocols established by Netanyahu himself.
The lawsuit characterizes Netanyahu's accusations as "malicious and completely false defamation," arguing that as Prime Minister, Netanyahu is aware the Shin Bet is not responsible for managing military forces or approving civilian events. Bar states that this legal action is necessary due to Netanyahu's personal smear campaign, the lack of progress on a state inquiry, and alleged attempts to falsify protocols and establish false narratives. Bar previously submitted an affidavit to the High Court regarding his disputes with Netanyahu, including alleged attempts to use the Shin Bet for political purposes and Qatar's influence within the Prime Minister's office.
Netanyahu may claim parliamentary immunity, which could lead to the lawsuit's dismissal without a hearing on the merits. However, such a move could be perceived as an attempt to avoid public disclosure of the events leading up to October 7th. If the case proceeds to evidence, it could shed light on key questions surrounding the failures of the attack, potentially involving document disclosure and testimony from key figures.
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