Full Breakdown
Netanyahu sues Israeli media over pre-Oct 7 warning reports
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has filed a defamation lawsuit in the Jerusalem District Court seeking at least NIS 2.6 million in damages. The suit names three media groups—Haaretz, Yedioth Ahronot, and Channel 12—and six journalists, including Haaretz reporters Shlomi Eldar and Ruth Yuval, columnist Uri Misgav, Yedioth Ahronot columnist Nadav Eyal, Channel 12 correspondent Barak Ravid, and former Ynet journalist Attila Somfalvi. The complaint centers on two disputed accounts: that UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed warned Netanyahu in late September 2023 of a planned Hamas operation, and that Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel warned him in early October 2023. Both reports were based on unnamed sources; Netanyahu has denied receiving either warning.
Background & Context
After the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, Netanyahu postponed a state commission of inquiry into the security failures, arguing it should wait until after the war. As elections near, media focus on alleged pre-attack warnings has resurfaced. Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar has also filed a defamation suit against Netanyahu, accusing him of a “manipulative campaign” to divert blame and demanding release of related documents.
Official Statements & Responses
- Benjamin Netanyahu – Denied that either bin Zayed or Kamel warned him, stating no Israeli intelligence official passed an Egyptian warning to the prime minister and that any foreign meeting would have involved Israeli counterparts. He said his legal team will pursue defamation claims.
- Ronen Bar – Said he will file a defamation suit against Netanyahu and demanded the release of testimonies, documents, and the prime minister’s meeting schedule.
- Haaretz – Described its reporting as the result of an extensive, source-based investigation of public interest and said it is prepared to defend the work in court.
- UAE officials – Issued a statement denying that President bin Zayed personally warned Netanyahu.
- Egyptian sources – The Wall Street Journal report, cited by multiple outlets, claimed that Kamel warned Netanyahu; Netanyahu’s office rejected the claim.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- UAE warning – Haaretz and Channel 12 reported a 45-minute call between bin Zayed and Netanyahu, alleging the warning was not relayed to Israeli security chiefs. An Emirati official later denied the president made a personal warning.
- Egyptian warning – The Wall Street Journal, citing senior Arab-government officials, reported that Kamel called Netanyahu in early October 2023 and warned of an imminent attack. Netanyahu’s office asserted he never met or spoke with Kamel without Israeli officials present.
- Documentation – The prime minister’s office records show no evidence of a call with bin Zayed during the period, while the media reports rely on unnamed sources without verifiable logs.
- Bar vs. Netanyahu – Bar claims he warned the prime minister of an “impending disaster” before October 7, while Netanyahu accuses Bar of failing to update him on the night of the attack. Both sides present contradictory narratives without publicly released evidence.
What’s Next
The defamation lawsuits filed by Netanyahu and Bar will proceed in the Jerusalem District Court. Both parties have indicated they will summon officials and request disclosure of documents related to pre-attack warnings. The outcomes may influence public perception ahead of the upcoming national elections, where security and accountability remain central campaign issues.