Shin Bet Chief Sues Netanyahu for NIS 3 Million Over Oct. 7th Blame

Ronen Bar, the outgoing head of the Shin Bet, has filed a NIS 3 million defamation lawsuit 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 allegedly knew about the October 7th Hamas attack in advance and concealed information. Bar, who has taken responsibility for the Shin Bet's part in the intelligence failure and has since resigned, stated that he is pursuing legal action because a state commission of inquiry has not been established and to counter a smear campaign aimed at placing full responsibility on security officials.

Central to the lawsuit are detailed warnings Bar claims to have provided to Netanyahu in the months leading up to the attack, particularly between July and September 2023. According to the filing, Bar warned of a severe erosion of Israeli deterrence, alerted that Yahya Sinwar had become "messianic," and requested targeted operations against Hamas leadership, along with preventative measures. Bar alleges that Netanyahu rejected these recommendations, adhering to a "peace at all costs" strategy and allowing Hamas to remain the de facto ruler of Gaza, even facilitating continued Qatari funding despite intelligence indicating its diversion to tunnel construction and military buildup.

Regarding the events of October 7th, Bar vehemently denies concealing information, noting that a warning was disseminated to all security agencies at 3:03 AM, with instructions to update the Prime Minister's military secretary. The lawsuit also highlights a perceived command disconnect, stating that unlike his predecessors, Netanyahu never provided Bar with his direct mobile number, insisted on communication through intermediaries, and explicitly forbade him from speaking directly with then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Bar further asserts that Netanyahu did not respond or intervene even after the attack began, and attempted to assign him responsibility for areas outside the Shin Bet's purview, such as managing IDF forces, civilian security, and emergency response teams.

The lawsuit also touches upon tensions regarding Netanyahu's advisors and alleged attempts to use the Shin Bet against political protests. Bar is demanding the disclosure of classified protocols and documents, urging Netanyahu not to hide behind parliamentary immunity and stating that the court is the venue where the truth will emerge. Prime Minister Netanyahu responded via X (formerly Twitter), focusing on the claim that Bar did not have his direct number on October 7th. He questioned Bar's seriousness, stating that Bar had access to his "red phone" and could have called immediately, as other security chiefs do. Netanyahu added that his Shin Bet security detail could also have reached him within minutes, concluding with an aggressive message about how many lives could have been saved if Bar had only called on time.