Ex-Shin Bet head files defamation suit against Netanyahu over October 7 claims
Ronen Bar, former director of Shin Bet, has sued Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for defamation over allegations about the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack. Bar says Netanyahu falsely blamed him for failures and ignored prior warnings, while Netanyahu insists Bar could have called him directly. The lawsuit seeks about $968,500 and comes before Israel’s October 27 election.
Bar’s 134-page filing says he contacted Netanyahu’s military secretary once warning signs emerged, but lacked the prime minister’s direct line. Netanyahu’s Likud party replied that Bar had access to a direct emergency number and could have called immediately.
The suit seeks three million shekels, roughly $968,500, and lands before Israel’s October 27 election. It follows claims by former military secretary Avi Gil that records around a key October 7 call were altered, and reporting that Egypt’s intelligence chief had warned Netanyahu beforehand.
The lawsuit may intensify public debate before the October 27 vote, potentially shaping how voters weigh responsibility for October 7. It could deepen scrutiny of security and government records, affecting trust among Israelis in official accounts. Because the case involves senior security and political figures, it may also influence how future officials document and communicate warnings, though its legal and electoral effects remain uncertain.