Ex-Shin Bet Chief Sues Netanyahu for Defamation Over Oct. 7 Claims

Bar denies these accusations, calling them a "blood libel" designed to deflect responsibility from the political echelon. In his lawsuit, Bar details a series of repeated warnings he claims to have given Netanyahu throughout 2023, including an explicit warning of "war" in July 2023. Bar also claims Netanyahu rejected recommendations to assassinate Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, citing fears of personal retaliation, and pursued a policy that weakened deterrence. According to the lawsuit, the Shin Bet did issue warnings on the night of the attack and updated the Prime Minister's Military Secretariat by 3:55 a.m., but Bar was unaware of the Nova festival.

Netanyahu responded by questioning why Bar did not use the secure "red phone" hotline to contact him directly on the night of the attack if he saw warning signs. Associates of Bar countered that Netanyahu should waive his immunity to allow the truth to be revealed in court. Following the filing, opposition leaders demanded Netanyahu's resignation and intensified calls for a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 failures.