Politics · Other · 2 hrs ago
Former Shin Bet chief sues Netanyahu over October 7 claims
Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar has sued Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for defamation over claims about the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack.
Bar says Netanyahu falsely accused him of failing to warn the prime minister, and filed a 134-page court document.
Bar says he called Netanyahu’s military secretary when signs of a possible attack emerged, but did not have the prime minister’s direct number.
Netanyahu says Bar could have called him on a direct line and that he was not alerted in time.
The lawsuit seeks three million shekels in damages and disputes Netanyahu’s claims that Bar committed serious failures.
The case comes as Netanyahu faces a close election on October 27, with criticism over the security failures surrounding the attack.
The dispute adds to pressure over who was responsible for not preventing the attack, which killed at least 1,221 Israelis, according to Israeli official figures.
Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar has filed a defamation lawsuit against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over statements blaming Bar for failures surrounding the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack.
Bar says Netanyahu made claims he knew were false to divert attention from his own responsibility.
Bar says he warned Netanyahu about possible threats and called the prime minister’s military secretary when signs of a possible attack emerged.
Netanyahu says Bar had his direct number and could have called to wake him on the morning of the attack.
Bar is seeking three million shekels in damages ahead of Israel’s October 27 election.
- Who
- Ronen Bar, the former head of Israel’s Shin Bet, is suing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- What
- Bar filed a defamation lawsuit over Netanyahu’s claims about Bar’s responsibility for the October 7 attack. He is seeking three million shekels in damages.
- When
- Bar filed the suit on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, according to the articles.
- Where
- The lawsuit was filed in an Israeli court. One article identifies it as the Tel Aviv District Court.
- Why
- Bar says Netanyahu made claims he knew were false to shift debate away from his own responsibility. Netanyahu says Bar should have called him directly on the morning of the attack.
Ronen Bar
Benjamin Netanyahu
Responsibility for the attack
Ronen Bar
Bar says Netanyahu’s policies increased the dangers from terrorist groups in Gaza and that Netanyahu made false accusations to divert attention from his own responsibility.
Benjamin Netanyahu
Netanyahu says Bar and military leaders failed to wake him and that he could have stopped the attack if they had called.
Warnings and contact
Ronen Bar
Bar says he warned Netanyahu about possible Hamas threats and called the prime minister’s military secretary when signs of a possible attack emerged.
Benjamin Netanyahu
Netanyahu says Bar had his direct number and could have called him immediately.
Hamas-led attackers broke through the fence separating Israel and Gaza and killed at least 1,221 Israelis, according to Israeli official figures cited by Al Jazeera.
Bar resigned as Shin Bet chief and said he took responsibility for the agency’s failures.
Netanyahu posted on X accusing Bar of withholding intelligence information about the attack, according to n-tv.
Bar filed a defamation lawsuit against Netanyahu.
Israel is due to hold an election, according to the articles.
- Plaintiff
- Ronen Bar, former head of Shin Bet
- Defendant
- Benjamin Netanyahu, prime minister of Israel
- Damages sought
- Three million shekels
- Attack date
- October 7, 2023
- Election date
- October 27, 2026
5 sources
Ex-chefe de segurança de Israel acusa Netanyahu de mentir sobre não ter sido avisado do 7 de Outubro
Eks Mendagri Israel Gugat Netanyahu Rp 17 M Buntut Dugaan Pencemaran Nama Baik
Israel's former security chief sues Netanyahu for October 7 defamation
Ex-Shin Bet chief files defamation suit against Netanyahu, details warnings months before Oct. 7
Verantwortung für den 7. Oktober: Früherer israelischer Geheimdienstchef verklagt Netanjahu
What people are saying
lying to cover himself
Ronen, are you serious?
You had my number on the red line and could have called me immediately, as all security chiefs do
How many lives could we have saved if only you had called in time?
Posts on X
💥Hair-raising details in ex Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar's lawsuit against Netanyahu. "At a July 9, 2023, cabinet meeting, government reps floated the idea of letting Hamas take control of the West Bank. I was forced to spell out that Hamas is a religious movement committed to