Israel's former security chief sues Netanyahu over October 7

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 16:29 · Archive

Ronen Bar, former head of Israel's Shin Bet, has sued Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for defamation over October 7 attack claims.

Ronen Bar, the former director of Israel's Shin Bet domestic security agency, has sued Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for defamation over his claims regarding responsibility for the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack. The 134-page court document was filed on Wednesday, weeks before Israel's October 27 election in which Netanyahu is fighting for his political life.

Bar accuses Netanyahu of 'lying to cover himself' and characterises the prime minister's accusations against him as slanderous. He says he telephoned Netanyahu's military secretary as soon as signs of a possible attack became apparent, though he did not have Netanyahu's direct number. Netanyahu has countered that he was not alerted by Bar on the morning of the attack and has insisted he could have stopped it had Shin Bet's then-director or military leaders called to wake him.

Bar's lawsuit states that Netanyahu made accusations 'that he knew to be false, with the aim of diverting the debate from his own responsibility for the events of October 7'. The document contends that Netanyahu's policies over several years had 'increased the dangers posed by terrorist organisations in Gaza'. The case comes as Netanyahu faces opposition pressure over the deadliest day in Israeli history.

How it is being reported

• Israel ex-security chief sues Netanyahu over October 7 claimsThe former head of Israel's Shin Bet domestic security agency on Wednesday sued Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for defamation weeks before elections in a row over responsibility for Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack. Netanyahu, who polls show in a tight race to stay in power in the October 27 election, has been hammered by the opposition for failing to prevent the attack, the deadliest day in Israeli history. FRANCE 24's Noga Tarnopolsky reports.France 24 · 15 Oct, 16:04
• Israel’s former security chief sues Netanyahu for October 7 defamationBar and Netanyahu have traded blame over the Hamas-led attack, as elections in Israel loom.Al Jazeera · 14 Oct, 19:39

In this story: Ronen Bar · Benjamin Netanyahu · Shin Bet · Hamas · Israel · Gaza

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