Ex-Shin Bet Chief Sues Netanyahu for Defamation Over Oct. 7 Warnings
Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba
Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar has sued Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for defamation, alleging the premier falsely claimed Bar knew of the Oct. 7 threat and didn't warn him. Bar's lawsuit, filed Oct. 14, contends Netanyahu received warnings but pursued a policy of "tolerance" toward Hamas. Bar seeks documents and meeting logs related to pre-Oct. 7 intelligence, aiming to reveal the truth in court as no state commission has been formed. He acknowledges Shin Bet's failures but rejects sole responsibility, citing Netanyahu's "unbridled attacks."
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar sued Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for defamation on Oct. 14.
- Bar alleges Netanyahu falsely claimed he knew of the Oct. 7 threat and didn't warn him.
- The lawsuit seeks documents and meeting records concerning pre-Oct. 7 intelligence.
- Bar claims Netanyahu maintained a "concept of tolerance" towards Hamas.
- Bar acknowledges Shin Bet's failures but rejects Netanyahu's attempts to assign sole blame.
- Bar stated the truth will be revealed in court due to the absence of an investigation commission.
Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar filed a defamation lawsuit against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, October 14, in the Tel Aviv District Court. The suit stems from Netanyahu's claims that Bar "knew about the real danger on the night of 7/10" but failed to warn him. Bar's lawsuit asserts that Netanyahu, in fact, received warnings but maintained a "concept of tolerance" towards Hamas. Bar is seeking the release of documents submitted to Netanyahu before October 7, along with records of the Prime Minister's meetings with security officials and foreign dignitaries. "In the absence of a state investigation commission, the truth will be revealed in court," Bar stated.
Through the FBC law firm, Bar detailed his account of the months leading up to October 7 and the night of the invasion. He claims he repeatedly alerted Netanyahu to potential security escalations and that, contrary to the Prime Minister's assertions, information was promptly shared with all relevant bodies. Bar acknowledged responsibility for the Shin Bet's shortcomings under his leadership but rejected Netanyahu's attempts to place the entire blame on him. He argued that the Prime Minister's statements contained false accusations damaging to his reputation and that of the service.
"As the person who headed the service, I bear responsibility for the Shin Bet's partial failure to provide the necessary intelligence regarding the October 7 attack and its timing," Bar wrote. "Therefore, bowing my head to the families of the fallen, I resigned from my post." (Bar announced his resignation only after the government dismissed him.) "We fought, eliminated senior Hamas figures in Gaza and Lebanon, returned hostages in daring Shin Bet operations and decisive negotiations, and I silently awaited the establishment of an investigation commission that would finally reveal the whole truth," Bar added. "But in light of the Prime Minister's unbridled attacks, I decided to speak out and show the public the motives behind such unacceptable behavior."
