Ex-Shin Bet Chief Sues Netanyahu for $810,000 Over Oct. 7 Blame

Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar has filed a defamation lawsuit seeking 3 million shekels (approximately $810,000) against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The lawsuit, submitted to the Tel Aviv District Court, is a response to Netanyahu's accusations that Bar committed "crimes" and echoed conspiracy theories suggesting Bar had prior knowledge of the October 7th Hamas attack and withheld information.

Bar, who has accepted responsibility for his agency's role in the intelligence failure and noted his resignation, stated he turned to the courts due to the absence of a state inquiry commission and to counter a smear campaign aimed at shifting full blame onto security officials. The lawsuit details specific, detailed warnings Bar conveyed to Netanyahu in the months leading up to October 7th, particularly around the spring holidays and between July and September 2023. He warned of a severe erosion of Israeli deterrence, alerted that Hamas leader Yihya Sinwar had become "messianic," and urged targeted operations against Hamas leadership alongside preventative measures.

According to Bar, Netanyahu rejected and ignored these recommendations, adhering to a "peace at all costs" strategy and allowing Hamas to remain the de facto ruler of Gaza, even permitting continued Qatari funding. Bar claims the Shin Bet provided explicit intelligence proving these funds were used for digging tunnels and military buildup.

Regarding the events of October 7th, Bar vehemently denies withholding information, pointing out that a warning was disseminated to all security agencies by 3:03 AM, with instructions to update the Prime Minister's military secretary. The lawsuit also reveals a breakdown in command, stating that unlike his predecessors, Netanyahu never gave Bar his mobile number, insisted all communication go through intermediaries, and explicitly forbade him from speaking directly with then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Netanyahu, the suit alleges, did not respond to Bar or intervene even after the attack began.

Bar further clarified that Netanyahu is attempting to assign him responsibility for areas outside the Shin Bet's purview, such as managing IDF forces, securing civilian events, and operating emergency response teams. The lawsuit, which also arises amidst tensions over advisors in Netanyahu's office and alleged attempts to use the Shin Bet against political protests, demands the disclosure of classified protocols and documents from the decision-making period. Bar urged Netanyahu not to hide behind parliamentary immunity, asserting that in the absence of a state investigation, the court is the venue where the truth will emerge. Separately, the security chief of the Nova party, Elkana Federman, has sued Bar for "criminal negligence" related to the October 7th events.