Ex-Shin Bet Chief Sues Netanyahu Over Oct. 7 Blame

Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar has filed a NIS 3 million defamation lawsuit against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alleging that Netanyahu falsely attributed severe responsibility for the October 7th intelligence failure to him. The lawsuit details Bar's claims that he repeatedly warned of Hamas's growing strength and proposed targeted assassinations of senior Hamas officials in the months leading up to the attack, but these recommendations were not acted upon.

According to the lawsuit, just six days before the October 7th Hamas attack, a discussion was held where the possibility of targeting senior Hamas figures was raised. Bar claims Netanyahu approved preparations for targeted assassinations at that meeting, but the directive remained on paper, with no follow-up discussions or actions taken. Bar also alleges that as early as November 2022, he presented a plan to assassinate Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, but this was not advanced. He argued that Sinwar was exploiting his ability to direct terror from Gaza into the West Bank without significant repercussions within the Strip, necessitating a change in Israeli policy.

Bar's lawsuit outlines a series of warnings and operational recommendations presented throughout the year preceding the attack. These included assessments that terror groups saw an opportunity due to weakened Israeli deterrence and internal Israeli tensions. He specifically recommended targeting those directing terror from Gaza, who he believed acted with impunity. In May 2023, following a conflict with Islamic Jihad, Bar proposed expanding the use of targeted assassinations beyond Islamic Jihad and into other arenas, presenting intelligence indicating Sinwar's radicalization and suggesting a preemptive strike could shorten conflicts and reduce casualties. However, the lawsuit claims Netanyahu expressed concern about personal retaliation if the assassination policy was expanded.

Further warnings were issued in August and September 2023, with Bar alerting Netanyahu to escalating terror activity from Gaza and an unusually high number of attempted attacks. He argued that relying solely on defensive measures was insufficient. Despite acknowledging the need to address the terror command in Gaza, the lawsuit contends Netanyahu did not advance the proposed steps, prioritizing quiet security during the High Holidays. A professional document recommending a preemptive offensive was submitted on September 21st, but Bar claims the recommendation was to proceed after the holidays to avoid escalation, a sentiment echoed by Netanyahu in a September 27th meeting where he emphasized avoiding escalation with Gaza and using force judiciously.

On October 1st, just days before the attack, Bar presented an assessment of unusually high terror activity from Gaza and warned of potential conflict. He recommended accelerating preparations to strike senior officials involved in directing terror. While Netanyahu reportedly approved advancing preparations, the lawsuit claims no practical follow-up meeting occurred to implement the decision. The lawsuit also touches on the night of the attack, with Netanyahu claiming Bar could have contacted him directly, a claim Bar refutes, stating warnings were issued and instructions given to update the Prime Minister's military secretary. Bar acknowledges the Shin Bet's failure to identify the scope and timing of the attack, a reason for his resignation, but maintains the current lawsuit focuses on Netanyahu's alleged defamation.