Ex-Shin Bet Chief Sues Netanyahu, Citing Pre-Oct. 7 Warnings
Translated & summarized from Calcalist by baba
Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar filed a NIS 3 million defamation lawsuit against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of falsely blaming Bar for failures before the October 7th attack. Bar's suit claims he repeatedly warned Netanyahu of escalation, but his recommendations were ignored. The lawsuit seeks to reveal documents about pre-attack warnings and discussions, asserting that Netanyahu is trying to deflect blame for his own policies. Bar stated that without a state inquiry, the truth will be revealed in court.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar sued Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for NIS 3 million, alleging defamation.
- Bar claims he issued multiple warnings to Netanyahu about potential escalation before October 7th.
- The lawsuit asserts Netanyahu ignored Bar's recommendations and pursued a policy of containment with Hamas.
- Bar seeks court-ordered disclosure of documents related to pre-attack warnings and discussions.
- Bar stated that without a state inquiry, the truth about the events will be revealed in court.
- The suit accuses Netanyahu of attempting to shift blame for his own conduct and policies.
Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar has filed a NIS 3 million defamation lawsuit against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing the premier of falsely blaming him for failures preceding the October 7th Hamas attack and promoting conspiracy theories. Bar's lawsuit, filed in Tel Aviv District Court, asserts that Netanyahu received multiple warnings about potential escalation and adhered to a policy of containment with Hamas, contrary to his public statements.
Bar claims he repeatedly alerted Netanyahu to the possibility of a security escalation, particularly concerning Gaza and the High Holidays, and that information was shared with relevant parties on the morning of October 7th. While accepting responsibility for the Shin Bet's intelligence failures, Bar contends Netanyahu is attempting to shift blame for his own conduct. The lawsuit details specific warnings and recommendations Bar made from November 2022 through September 2023, including proposals for targeted assassinations of Hamas leaders and measures to curb escalation, which he alleges were ignored or dismissed by Netanyahu.
The lawsuit also criticizes Netanyahu's policy of "quiet at all costs" regarding Gaza, which allegedly included approving Qatari cash transfers despite Shin Bet concerns that funds were used for Hamas's military buildup. Bar states that Netanyahu's office made it clear that strategic policy was outside the Shin Bet chief's purview. Bar further refutes claims that he withheld information on October 7th, stating an alert was issued at 3:03 AM to all security agencies, though its exact nature was unclear at the time.
Bar alleges that unlike his predecessors, Netanyahu did not provide him with a direct mobile number, limiting communication to intermediaries. He also claims Netanyahu prevented him from contacting then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on the day of the attack. Bar is seeking the disclosure of documents related to the pre-attack warnings and discussions, asserting that without a state inquiry commission, the truth will emerge in court.
Bar stated his decision to sue was also prompted by the lack of a state commission of inquiry into the October 7th massacre and what he described as a "continuous blood libel" against him and the Shin Bet. He views Netanyahu's alleged attempts to rewrite history and spread conspiracy theories as a dangerous threat to Israel's existence.
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