Ex-Shin Bet Chief Sues Netanyahu for Defamation Over Oct. 7 Blame

Former Shin Bet security agency chief Ronen Bar filed a defamation lawsuit on Wednesday against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Tel Aviv Central Court. The suit comes after Netanyahu accused Bar of "crimes" related to his conduct during the October 7th Hamas attack. Bar's lawsuit states that Netanyahu received warnings of potential escalation but maintained a policy of containment towards Hamas. Bar is requesting the court compel the disclosure of documents, asserting that "in the absence of an official investigation committee, the truth will emerge in court." He acknowledged his responsibility as Shin Bet chief for intelligence failures but accused Netanyahu of attempting to shift blame onto him and divert attention from his own leadership. Bar is seeking 3 million shekels in damages.

Prime Minister Netanyahu responded to the lawsuit, questioning Bar's actions on the night of October 7th. "Ronen Bar, who saw the signs on the night of October 7th and did not call me, says today that he doesn't have my phone number. Ronen, are you serious?" Netanyahu stated. He added that Bar had access to the "red phone" and could have called him immediately, as is customary for security chiefs. Netanyahu also pointed out that Shin Bet guards, who work under Bar's command and are with him 24/7, could have reached him within minutes. He questioned how many lives could have been saved if Bar had made a timely call.