Netanyahu Denies Egyptian Warning, Accuses Ex-Shin Bet Chief of Crimes

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has again denied reports, published by The Wall Street Journal, that he received a warning from Egyptian Intelligence Chief Abbas Kamel. In a post on the social media platform X, Netanyahu stated his intention to file a defamation lawsuit regarding the matter and accused former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar of committing "crimes."

Netanyahu asserted that he never meets or speaks with foreign intelligence chiefs without their Israeli counterparts present. He claimed that on the night of October 7th, Ronen Bar held numerous conversations with then-IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and head of Military Intelligence Aharon Haliva, during which they discussed all the warning signs.

Despite this, Netanyahu alleged, Bar decided not to contact and update the Prime Minister. Furthermore, Netanyahu accused Bar of failing to alert standby units and IDF forces in the field, and not evacuating the Nova music festival. Netanyahu suggested Bar only sent a small "Tequila team," which he claimed proves Bar knew of a real danger.