Netanyahu Dismisses Shin Bet Lawsuit as 'Publicity Stunt'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vehemently rejected claims made by former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, who is suing the prime minister for NIS 3 million in a defamation lawsuit. In an interview with Ayala Hasson on Kan News, Netanyahu called Bar's allegations "nonsense" and a "publicity stunt." Bar's lawsuit reportedly centers on events preceding the October 7th Hamas attack, with Netanyahu specifically refuting Bar's assertion that he did not call the prime minister on the night of the attack because he lacked Netanyahu's phone number. Netanyahu stated that Bar could have used the prime minister's secure "red phone," which is always accessible via Shin Bet security personnel.

Netanyahu also addressed 22 meetings and warnings detailed in Bar's lawsuit, spanning from November 2022 to October 1, 2023. He claimed to have provided the State Comptroller with nearly a thousand documents refuting these claims. Citing a Shin Bet intelligence report from October 3, 2023, just four days before the attack, Netanyahu highlighted its assessment that "renewing understandings between Israel and Hamas on the principle of security quiet in exchange for easing" could maintain stability in Gaza. He argued that prior warnings he received focused on the risk of escalation due to the judicial reform crisis, with Gaza explicitly excluded from these concerns, as it was perceived to be in a state of calm with an understanding with Hamas.

Furthermore, Netanyahu criticized the halt of the State Comptroller's investigation into the October 7th events by the High Court of Justice, vowing to resume it if re-elected. He dismissed the idea of a government-appointed inquiry commission, suggesting it would be perceived as biased. He also rejected a state inquiry commission, arguing that its members, appointed by the Chief Justice, are not truly independent, and pointed to Chief Justice Yitzhak Amit's "clear political views." Netanyahu proposed a bipartisan commission modeled after the US post-9/11 commission, but stated the opposition refused.

Regarding a September 26, 2023, visit by the head of Egyptian intelligence, Netanyahu stated that the Mossad chief, National Security Advisor, and Defense Minister denied meeting him, and the Shin Bet was still investigating. He expressed ignorance about whether the Egyptian official was actually present on the flight. He also addressed his 2021 meeting with the Egyptian intelligence chief, noting such meetings typically occur with Israeli counterparts present, and suggested Ronen Bar might have been present at that specific meeting. Netanyahu also claimed the Egyptians deny having passed on any warning.

In a separate segment, Netanyahu discussed his ongoing trial, calling it a "decisive moment" and a "full circle." He reiterated his "nothing will come of it because nothing happened" defense, accusing the prosecution and police of criminal offenses and calling the proceedings a "political hunt" to oust a strong right-wing prime minister. He questioned the actions of former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, suggesting he signed the indictment without fully reading it and implying the case was fabricated, stating, "I don't think, I know. With crude stitches that are unraveling, and everyone sees it."