Ex-Shin Bet Chief Sues Netanyahu, Cites Offer to Let Hamas Rule West Bank
Translated & summarized from Israel Hayom by baba
Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar is suing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alleging that government officials proposed letting Hamas rule the West Bank two months before the October 7th attack. Bar also claims to have evidence contradicting Netanyahu's statements about prior warnings. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett supported Bar's claims, stating Netanyahu bears direct responsibility for the massacre and should resign.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar is suing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- Bar alleges government officials proposed allowing Hamas to rule the West Bank before October 7th.
- The lawsuit claims evidence contradicts Netanyahu's statements about prior warnings.
- Bar stated leadership requires taking responsibility for failures.
- Former PM Naftali Bennett asserted Netanyahu bears direct responsibility for the massacre.
Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar has filed a lawsuit against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alleging that "elements within the government" proposed allowing Hamas to rule in the West Bank approximately two months before the October 7th massacre. Bar made these claims in his first public statement since his dismissal, delivered at Tel Aviv University, where he also stated that "in leadership, it is better to take responsibility for failures."
According to the lawsuit, the proposal was raised during a cabinet meeting on July 9, 2023. Bar reportedly clarified at the time that Hamas is a fundamentalist religious movement aiming to "annihilate Israel and murder Israelis." The lawsuit does not identify the specific government officials who made the suggestion.
The lawsuit also presents evidence, including documents and testimonies, that Bar claims contradict Netanyahu's assertions of not receiving repeated warnings before October 7th, being deliberately kept in the dark, and blaming security officials for "failures and crimes." Bar contends that Netanyahu is attempting to shift responsibility for the events away from himself and onto Bar.
Netanyahu's office has not yet responded to the lawsuit. However, former Prime Minister and "Achva" chairman Naftali Bennett reacted strongly, stating that Bar's lawsuit "proves: Netanyahu bears personal and direct responsibility for the October 7th massacre." Bennett added that Netanyahu's continued tenure is a "clear and present danger to Israel's security" and that he should resign.
Bennett further criticized the Prime Minister for ignoring warnings, dismissing threats of war, refusing to eliminate Hamas leaders, and presiding over the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. He called for a state investigation into the spread of conspiracy theories about security officials' alleged betrayal, stating there is "no forgiveness and no pardon" for such actions. Bennett concluded by urging citizens to choose "repair, responsibility, and leadership" over "chaos, lies, and abandonment."
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