Ex-Shin Bet Chief Sues Netanyahu Over Oct. 7 Blame
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS Arabic by baba
Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar is suing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for defamation, alleging Netanyahu falsely claimed Bar knew about the October 7 attack and withheld information. Bar's lawsuit argues he provided numerous warnings that were ignored and blames Netanyahu's policies for Hamas's strengthening. Netanyahu countered that Bar failed to contact him on the night of the attack, potentially costing lives. Bar acknowledged intelligence failures but accused Netanyahu of a smear campaign to mislead the public.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar sued Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for defamation over Oct. 7 blame.
- Bar claims he provided numerous ignored warnings to Netanyahu before the Oct. 7 attack.
- Netanyahu stated Bar saw warning signs but did not contact him on Oct. 7.
- Bar acknowledged Shin Bet intelligence failures and his resignation.
- Bar accused Netanyahu of a smear campaign to mislead the public about the attack.
- Bar intends to present documents in court to support his claims.
Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar has filed a defamation lawsuit against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of spreading a "blood libel" that Bar had prior knowledge of the October 7 Hamas attacks but withheld information from the premier. Bar's lawsuit, filed in the Central District Court, contends that Netanyahu's claims are false and that he presented numerous warnings, recommendations, and plans to the Prime Minister in the months leading up to the attack, which were allegedly ignored or inadequately addressed.
Bar asserts that Netanyahu bears responsibility for his government's policies toward Gaza, including the strategy of containment and allowing Hamas to strengthen its capabilities. The lawsuit aims to refute Netanyahu's narrative that Bar could have prevented the attack by making a timely phone call.
Netanyahu, in response to the lawsuit, reiterated his claim that Bar saw warning signs on the night of October 7 but failed to contact him, despite having his direct number and access to security personnel. The Prime Minister stated that security chiefs can reach him within minutes and that timely communication could have saved lives.
Bar acknowledged the Shin Bet's intelligence failures regarding the attack and his subsequent resignation out of respect for bereaved families. However, he stated he waited for an official investigation before resorting to legal action against what he described as a personal smear campaign that harms the agency and its fallen members. Bar accused Netanyahu of deliberately misleading the public, emphasizing that the Prime Minister understands the Shin Bet's operational limits, which do not include managing military forces or civilian readiness teams.
Bar announced his intention to present documents in court to support his claims, especially in the absence of an official investigative committee. He had previously announced his intention to sue Netanyahu for defamation last month, following reports that Netanyahu intended to sue The Wall Street Journal over a story claiming the former head of Egyptian intelligence had warned him of an imminent attack.
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