Ex-Shin Bet Chief Sues Netanyahu Over October 7th Blame
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar sued Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for libel on Wednesday, seeking NIS 260,000 over accusations related to the October 7th attack. Bar presented evidence of repeated warnings given to Netanyahu throughout 2023, including a July warning of "war." While accepting his own responsibility for intelligence failures, Bar aims to reveal the truth in court, countering Netanyahu's claims that the Shin Bet withheld information.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar sued Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for libel on Wednesday.
- Bar is seeking NIS 260,000 in damages over Netanyahu's accusations regarding the October 7th attack.
- The lawsuit includes documents allegedly showing repeated warnings given to Netanyahu throughout 2023.
- Bar claims he explicitly warned Netanyahu of "war" in July 2023.
- Bar accepted his own responsibility for intelligence failures but seeks to counter Netanyahu's claims.
- Bar presented evidence he says proves the Shin Bet alerted security forces early on October 7th.
Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar filed a libel suit on Wednesday against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, seeking NIS 260,000 in damages. The lawsuit, filed at the Central District Court, stems from a social media post in which Netanyahu accused Bar of "failures and crimes" related to the October 7th Hamas attack. Bar alleges Netanyahu "fabricated a blood libel against me."
In his lawsuit, Bar presented documents and evidence he claims demonstrate a "series of repeated warnings" given to Netanyahu throughout 2023. He stated that he "calls on the Prime Minister not to hide behind a claim of immunity, the truth will be revealed in court." Bar added, "In the absence of a state commission of inquiry, the truth will be revealed in court. A little light will dispel much darkness."
Bar detailed two "dramatic sequences" of warnings he provided to Netanyahu in 2023. The first, during the judicial overhaul protests in March-April, allegedly prompted then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant's warning speech, which led to his initial dismissal by Netanyahu. In July 2023, Bar claims he explicitly told Netanyahu, "I am giving you a warning of war." Following this, warnings were allegedly issued almost weekly, particularly around the High Holidays, focusing on Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, and Hamas.
Bar acknowledged his own responsibility as head of the Shin Bet for intelligence failures regarding Hamas's plans and the attack's timing, stating, "As one who headed the service, I bear responsibility that the Shin Bet failed in its part in providing the required intelligence on the October 7th attack and its timing." He explained his resignation was "with bowed head."
Bar stated he waited three years for a state inquiry but, due to Netanyahu's "unrestrained outburst," decided to speak out. The lawsuit specifically addresses the night before the attack, presenting what Bar calls "unequivocal evidence that completely shatters the claim that the Shin Bet hid information." According to the suit, the Shin Bet issued an alert to all security bodies at 3:03 AM, a fact documented in the Shin Bet's command center logs, which he claims "refutes this libel."
Bar has requested that classified documents and Netanyahu's meeting logs with security officials and foreign dignitaries be disclosed. He also intends to summon Netanyahu's aides and staff to testify. Bar filed the suit without knowing if Netanyahu would claim immunity.
Mentioned
