Full Breakdown
Netanyahu’s alleged UAE warning sparks political firestorm
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Report of a pre-attack UAE call
A forthcoming book by Israeli journalists, based on recordings, internal documents and senior officials, alleges that Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the United Arab Emirates, placed a 45-minute secure-line call to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about ten days before the October 7, 2023 attack. The Emirati leader is said to have warned that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was planning a major operation that could destabilise the region.
Background & Context
The October 7 assault by Hamas killed more than 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages being taken to Gaza. Israel’s subsequent war has left most of Gaza in ruins and caused over 73,000 Palestinian deaths. The conflict continues as Israel prepares for national elections slated for late October, which will decide whether Netanyahu secures a seventh term.
Timeline
- ? 10 days before the scheduled attack – alleged UAE-Israel call.
- Tuesday (date not specified) – Haaretz publishes the book’s findings.
- Same day – Four opposition party leaders issue a joint statement demanding an immediate investigation into Netanyahu’s “failures and malfunctioning.”
- Later that day – Netanyahu’s Prime Minister’s Office issues a denial, calling the report an “absolute lie.”
Criticism & Opposition
- “Netanyahu received dozens of warnings for 7 October and ignored them all. He is unfit.” — Gadi Eisenkot, former military commander
- “Netanyahu cannot continue to serve in his position for even one more minute.” — Naftali Bennett, former prime minister
- “If Netanyahu had fulfilled his role, the massacre would have been prevented.” — Yair Lapid, former prime minister
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Call existence: The book and journalists assert the call occurred; Netanyahu’s office denies any such conversation.
- Intelligence briefing: Some reports claim the warning was passed to Israel’s General Security Service on September 15, yet the Prime Minister’s Office maintains no briefing took place.
- Evidence access: The indictment and recordings cited by Haaretz have not been made public, leaving verification dependent on the journalists’ testimony.
Data & Statistics
- Hamas attack casualties: > 1,200 Israelis killed, 251 taken hostage.
- U.S. State Department figures: 44 American citizens killed, 12 taken hostage.
- Gaza war toll: > 73,000 Palestinians killed.
Why It Matters / Impact
The allegation adds to mounting political pressure on Netanyahu as the election approaches. Opposition parties have pledged to create an independent state commission of inquiry, a proposal Netanyahu’s government has rejected. The controversy also raises questions about intelligence sharing between Israel and regional partners, and it has prompted Netanyahu’s office to consider a defamation lawsuit against the reporting outlet.
What’s Next
- National elections scheduled for late October will test Netanyahu’s political survival amid the controversy.
- Opposition leaders say establishing a state-appointed commission of inquiry will be a priority if they win.
- Netanyahu’s team has indicated plans to file a defamation suit over the Haaretz report.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Netanyahu received dozens of warnings for 7 October and ignored them all. He is unfit,” — Gadi Eisenkot
- “Netanyahu cannot continue to serve in his position for even one more minute,” — Naftali Bennett
- “If Netanyahu had fulfilled his role, the massacre would have been prevented,” — Yair Lapid
