Netanyahu Lost Trust in Security Chiefs Over Judicial Reform Warnings
Translated & summarized from Arab48 by baba
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly lost trust in security chiefs, including former Shin Bet head Ronen Bar, after they linked internal divisions over judicial reform to security threats. Bar repeatedly warned of an impending attack before October 7th, recommending preemptive strikes, which Netanyahu largely ignored. Following the attack, Netanyahu blamed Bar and others, leading to Bar's defamation lawsuit. The article also details a new right-wing initiative to reshape Israel's security apparatus with extremist officers advocating for Palestinian transfer and perpetual war.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Ronen Bar warned Netanyahu of an impending attack before October 7th, linking it to judicial reform divisions.
- Netanyahu dismissed security warnings and allegedly lost trust in leaders like Bar and the IDF chief.
- Bar filed a defamation lawsuit against Netanyahu after being blamed for the October 7th security failure.
- A new right-wing initiative seeks to install extremist officers in Israel's security leadership.
- Netanyahu appointed loyalists to top security posts after alleged resignations of previous leaders.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly lost confidence in top security officials, including former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and the IDF chief of staff, after they linked internal Israeli divisions over the government's judicial overhaul plan to potential threats from adversaries. Bar had repeatedly warned Netanyahu before the October 7th Hamas attack about a "perfect storm" created by the societal rift and Palestinian instability, suggesting it emboldened enemies.
Netanyahu allegedly dismissed these warnings, viewing them as a threat to his own security and believing Bar was adopting these analyses. Bar's warnings included recommendations for preemptive strikes, such as assassinating Hamas leaders like Yahya Sinwar, most of which Netanyahu rejected. These details emerged following a defamation lawsuit filed by Bar against Netanyahu, who had accused Bar of responsibility for the security failure leading to the October 7th attack.
Bar's specific warnings included a February 2023 "personal letter" about the "perfect storm," a March 2023 claim of tripled alerts about Palestinian armed operations, and a July 2023 "strategic warning of war" via a secure line, stating Israel's enemies saw internal divisions as an opportunity. Netanyahu's responses ranged from directing the Shin Bet to ensure his security to ignoring Bar's warnings.
In September 2023, Bar described an "unusual security situation" requiring a change in reality, but Netanyahu instructed the focus to be on a quiet holiday period and protests against the judicial plan. By October 1st, 2023, Bar warned of "peak terrorist intentions" and recommended preparing for assassinations and a Gaza operation, which Netanyahu reportedly approved.
The article also discusses a new right-wing initiative, the "Center for Israel's Future," funded by wealthy American Jews, aiming to reshape Israel's security elite with extremist right-wing officers who advocate for Palestinian transfer and perpetual war. Graduates of its programs, like the current Shin Bet chief David Zini, have developed a security vision that rejects peace as a strategic goal and calls for preemptive attacks and territorial expansion.
Netanyahu has appointed loyalists to key security positions, including Eyal Zamir as IDF Chief of Staff and David Zini as Shin Bet chief, after allegedly pushing for the resignations of Bar, IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, and Mossad chief David Barnea. This move allows Netanyahu to later claim he replaced the leadership that failed on October 7th, despite their public acceptance of responsibility.
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