MignewsSecurity18:13

Netanyahu Disputes Shin Bet Chief's Claim of No Contact Before Oct. 7

Translated & summarized from Mignews by baba

CommunityNeutral tone

Russian · 9 newsrooms covering

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refuted claims by former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar that he couldn't reach the PM's office before the October 7th attack. Netanyahu stated Bar ignored direct emergency lines and had access to a special government phone. He believes timely communication could have saved lives, as responsibility for the attack remains a key debate in Israel.

The story in 5 lines · by baba

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar's claim of no contact before Oct. 7.
Netanyahu stated Bar ignored direct emergency communication channels despite early warnings.
Bar had access to a special government telephone line for critical situations, Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu believes timely communication could have improved defense and saved lives.
Responsibility for the Oct. 7 attack remains a central public and political debate in Israel.

Netanyahu Disputes Shin Bet Chief's Claim of No Contact Before Oct. 7 — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly refuted claims made by former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar that he was unable to contact the Prime Minister's office before the October 7th attack. Netanyahu stated that Bar ignored direct emergency communication channels, despite early warning signs appearing hours before Hamas militants invaded.

According to Netanyahu, Bar had constant access to a special government telephone line designated for critical situations. He emphasized that all heads of Israeli security forces traditionally use this secure channel for immediate reporting of military threats. The Prime Minister's personal security detail is also staffed 24/7 by active Shin Bet officers who reported directly to Bar and could have connected him with the Prime Minister within minutes at any hour.

Netanyahu expressed confidence that a timely call from the intelligence chief could have allowed for better defense preparations and saved hundreds of Israeli lives. The question of responsibility for the border breach and civilian deaths remains a central topic of public and political debate in Israel. Shin Bet officials have not yet issued a detailed response to the Prime Minister's criticism, though the agency has previously acknowledged systemic intelligence failures leading to the October 7th events.