Netanyahu Dismisses Shin Bet Lawsuit as 'Propaganda Stunt'
Translated & summarized from Makan by baba
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called a defamation lawsuit by former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar a "propaganda stunt" and demanded three million shekels in compensation. Netanyahu disputed Bar's account of communication failures on October 7 and the nature of prior warnings, which he claimed excluded Gaza. He also addressed the arrival of an Egyptian intelligence plane shortly before the attack, stating he had no direct knowledge of the visitor's identity. Netanyahu intends to resume the State Comptroller's investigation into the events if he wins the next election.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Prime Minister Netanyahu called former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar's lawsuit a "propaganda stunt."
- Netanyahu demanded three million shekels in compensation from Ronen Bar.
- Netanyahu disputed Bar's claim that he lacked the Prime Minister's phone number on October 7.
- Netanyahu stated that security warnings he received excluded the Gaza front.
- Netanyahu mentioned the arrival of an Egyptian intelligence plane 11 days before the October 7 attack.
- Netanyahu plans to resume the State Comptroller's investigation into October 7 if he wins the next election.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to a defamation lawsuit filed by former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, demanding three million shekels in compensation, during an interview with Kan channel on Wednesday evening. Netanyahu described the lawsuit as a "propaganda stunt" and a "media show," questioning the sum demanded. He attacked Bar's claim that the former Shin Bet head did not contact the Prime Minister on the night of October 7 because he lacked Netanyahu's number, stating that the Prime Minister has a direct line accessible at all times through his security detail. Netanyahu asserted he could have been reached directly or through his Shin Bet guards. Responding to Bar's mention of 22 warnings and meetings between November 2022 and October 1, 2023, Netanyahu stated he had provided the State Comptroller with "about a thousand documents" refuting these claims. He argued that the warnings presented to him focused on risks related to the judicial reform crisis and explicitly excluded the Gaza front, citing a belief that "Sinwar wants a settlement" and that "calm for calm" should be maintained. Netanyahu also mentioned that the State Comptroller's investigation into October 7 was halted by the Supreme Court shortly after he submitted the documents, and he intends to resume it if he wins the upcoming elections. He addressed the landing of former Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel's plane at Ben Gurion Airport on September 26, 2023, eleven days before the October 7 attack, noting that the heads of Mossad, National Security Council, and Defense Minister denied meeting the Egyptian official. When asked if the plane could have been registered in Kamel's name without him personally arriving, Netanyahu stated he had "no idea" but suggested airport surveillance footage could clarify the visit. He recalled a meeting with Kamel at his residence in 2021, explaining that foreign intelligence chiefs visit Israel periodically and that Israeli counterparts, including the Shin Bet chief, attend these meetings, adding, "It was him, and this needs to be checked." Netanyahu also claimed that Egypt denies having conveyed any security warnings to Israel prior to the attack.
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