Ex-Shin Bet Chief Sues Netanyahu for Defamation Over Oct. 7 Blame
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar filed a NIS 3 million defamation lawsuit against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of blaming Bar for the October 7th attack and spreading conspiracy theories. Bar claims he provided detailed warnings to Netanyahu prior to the attack. Netanyahu dismissed the lawsuit, questioning Bar's claims and his access to his phone number. Media personalities have also criticized Bar's actions.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar sued Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for NIS 3 million over defamation.
- Bar claims he gave Netanyahu specific warnings about the October 7th attack.
- Netanyahu accused Bar of "crimes" and knowing about the attack in advance.
- Bar stated the lawsuit aims to counter a blame campaign and seeks a state inquiry.
- Netanyahu dismissed the lawsuit as "meaningless" and questioned Bar's claims.
- Media figures criticized Bar, with one calling him the "most failed Shin Bet chief."
Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar has filed a NIS 3 million defamation lawsuit against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Tel Aviv District Court. The suit comes in response to Netanyahu's accusations that Bar committed "crimes" and amplified conspiracy theories claiming Bar knew about the October 7th Hamas attack in advance and withheld information.
Bar, who has taken responsibility for his agency's part in the intelligence failure and noted his resignation, stated he is pursuing legal action due to the lack of a state inquiry commission and to counter a smear campaign aimed at placing full blame on security officials. The lawsuit details numerous specific warnings Bar provided to Netanyahu in the months leading up to the attack, particularly around the spring holidays and between July and September 2023. He warned of a severe erosion of Israeli deterrence, alerted that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar had become "messianic," and requested a targeted elimination operation against Hamas leadership alongside preventative measures.
Media personality Eli Ohana criticized Bar on 103FM radio, questioning his responsibility and contrasting him with Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, who "returned to anonymity." Ohana asked, "Ronen Bar, didn't you learn from October 7th? Look at Herzi Halevi who returned to anonymity, visits the bereaved families and lowers his head. You continue the same way, what responsibility did you take?"
On Channel 14, Itamar Fleishman also attacked Bar, calling him the "most failed Shin Bet chief in Israeli history" and questioning why Bar "didn't do anything about anything" if he claims to have known about the attack. Fleishman urged Bar to "stop being a coward" and speak out.
Netanyahu, in an interview with Ayla Hasson on Kan 11, dismissed the lawsuit, stating, "He can sue for 30 million shekels too." Regarding the claims in the lawsuit, the Prime Minister called them "meaningless" and highlighted Bar's assertion that he didn't have Netanyahu's phone number as "the most amazing thing in this document," questioning the excuse given that the Shin Bet chief would have such access.
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