Ex-Shin Bet Chief Bar Sues Netanyahu for Defamation Over Oct. 7
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar has sued Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for defamation, accusing him of spreading a "blood libel" regarding the October 7th attacks. Bar's lawsuit claims he repeatedly warned Netanyahu about escalating threats from Gaza and proposed preemptive actions, which were allegedly ignored. The suit details numerous specific warnings and recommendations given to Netanyahu in the year leading up to the massacre. Bar stated that the truth will be revealed in court since a state inquiry commission has not been formed.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar sued Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for defamation over alleged "blood libel" regarding October 7th.
- Bar claims he issued numerous warnings to Netanyahu about escalating threats from Gaza in the year before the attack.
- The lawsuit alleges Netanyahu ignored or dismissed Bar's warnings and proposals to neutralize Hamas leaders.
- Bar stated that the truth will emerge in court due to the absence of a state inquiry commission.
- The lawsuit details specific warnings and recommendations given to Netanyahu from November 2022 to October 2023.
- Bar accused Netanyahu of pursuing a policy of quiet in Gaza at all costs, including approving Hamas funding.
Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar has filed a defamation lawsuit against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alleging that Netanyahu spread a "blood libel" against him concerning the October 7th Hamas attacks. Bar's lawsuit, filed with the Central District Court, details dozens of warnings he claims to have given Netanyahu in the year preceding the massacre, including specific alerts about escalating tensions with Gaza and proposals to eliminate Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. Bar asserts that Netanyahu sought to shift blame for the events solely onto him.
According to the lawsuit, Bar repeatedly warned Netanyahu about a potential multi-front conflict, emphasizing the Gaza Strip and the High Holidays period, and presented initiatives to neutralize senior Hamas officials. These warnings and plans, Bar claims, were either dismissed or ignored by the Prime Minister. Bar stated that he waited three years for a state inquiry commission, but in the absence of one, the truth will emerge in court.
Bar further alleges that Netanyahu pursued a policy of maintaining quiet in Gaza "at all costs," treating it as a secondary arena and preserving Hamas as the governing entity, even approving funding for Hamas from Qatar against the Shin Bet's recommendations. Bar claims his attempts to influence policy were blocked by the Prime Minister.
The lawsuit also presents evidence from the night of October 7th, refuting claims that the Shin Bet withheld information. It states that the Shin Bet issued an alert to all security bodies starting at 3:03 AM, and the Prime Minister's office was updated. Bar stated, "Given the Prime Minister's unbridled outburst, I decided not to remain silent and to show the public the motives behind such reprehensible behavior."
Bar detailed specific warnings and recommendations given to Netanyahu from November 2022 to October 1, 2023. These included alerts about Sinwar's intentions, recommendations for targeted assassinations, and warnings of a "perfect storm" due to Israel's internal divisions and Palestinian instability. The lawsuit claims Netanyahu's responses ranged from no comment to directives to focus on protecting public officials, and in one instance, a handwritten note stating the Shin Bet was not responsible for shaping national strategy.
Mentioned
