Shin Bet Chief Sues Netanyahu, Revealing Pre-Oct. 7 Warnings

A lawsuit filed by former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may not reach court, but it has exposed behind-the-scenes tensions and alleged failures in the months leading up to the October 7th Hamas attack. Bar, citing a barrage of slander and falsehoods, has publicly aired serious accusations against the Prime Minister, reportedly intending to do so before upcoming elections.

According to Alon Ben-David, military correspondent for Maariv, Bar felt compelled to speak out after witnessing repeated attempts by the Prime Minister's office to distort facts and rewrite history. A September 28th post by Netanyahu, accusing Bar and then-IDF Chief of Staff Hertzi Halevi of failures and crimes and suggesting they orchestrated events on the night of October 6-7 to withhold information from the premier, appears to have been the final catalyst.

Bar's lawsuit references classified documents and seeks to declassify conversations with Netanyahu over the year preceding the attack. These discussions reportedly included repeated Shin Bet warnings about the potential for war and Hamas's strengthening, which Netanyahu allegedly ignored. The article suggests Netanyahu used the phrase "I instruct to advance the recommendations" to delay decisions he opposed without formally rejecting them.

Former military secretary Avi Gil reportedly stated that in early 2023, Netanyahu began believing security officials were conspiring against him, leading him to dismiss numerous warnings. The article posits that Netanyahu's personal security concerns, such as increased protection for his family after a February warning about an "impending storm," and his son's potential kidnapping after a March warning about Hamas, overshadowed national security.

Despite multiple warnings from Bar in April and July about Hamas's intentions, including a strategic planning document recommending the elimination of Hamas leaders, Netanyahu allegedly reacted with anger, stating in one instance that "in a democracy, Shin Bet does not determine strategy." His hospitalization in July for "dehydration" and subsequent pacemaker implantation occurred shortly before a critical Knesset vote on judicial reform.

Bar personally informed Netanyahu of a potential war warning at the hospital, facing accusations of attempting to sabotage the judicial reform. A similar warning from Chief of Staff Halevi was also reportedly downplayed. Netanyahu allegedly refused a meeting with Halevi and blocked Bar from briefing ministers and Knesset members before the vote, influenced by Justice Minister Yariv Levin.

Further warnings in August were met with Netanyahu, newly fitted with a pacemaker, vacationing and stating, "The situation is much better. Enjoy life!" The article concludes that Netanyahu became detached from security structures, focusing instead on judicial reform and a potential strike against Iran, while neglecting immediate threats. It also acknowledges Shin Bet's failure to anticipate the invasion but emphasizes Bar's acceptance of responsibility and participation in the aftermath, contrasting it with Netanyahu's alleged evasion of accountability.