Full Breakdown
Trump Doubts Netanyahu’s Prior Warnings Ahead of Israeli Election
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
In an interview with *TIME* magazine, U.S. President Donald Trump said he does not believe reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was warned in advance of the October 7 Hamas assault by Egypt or the United Arab Emirates. Trump asserted, “I think if he would have known, he would have done something about it,” and added that he was “not involved in Israeli politics” when asked whether Israelis should give Netanyahu another term.
Background & Context
Investigations have documented that Abbas Kamel, head of Egypt’s General Intelligence Service, visited Israel on September 26, 2023 and warned Netanyahu that Hamas was preparing a major operation. Reports also say Mohammed bin Zayed, President of the UAE, held a 45-minute call with Netanyahu roughly ten days before October 7, warning of a looming attack. Netanyahu has denied receiving any such warnings.
In early September 2026, Netanyahu made a secret trip to the UAE, meeting bin Zayed for about four hours at Abu Dhabi airport. Sources say the purpose was to ask the Emirati president to publicly deny the warning report; the UAE foreign ministry said the talks focused on bilateral relations. The trip occurred less than a month before Israel’s scheduled election on October 27.
Official Statements & Responses
- Donald Trump (via interview): “I think if he would have known, he would have done something about it.”
- Naftali Bennett, former prime minister, criticized Netanyahu’s handling of security threats, asking, “You’re not a warning app, you’re the prime minister of Israel. If you suspected there was a danger that a plane would blow up, what did you do about it?”
Criticism & Opposition
Opposition figures have framed the warning controversy as evidence of Netanyahu’s broader security failures. Lapid accused the government of “cheap politics” and called the diplomatic source “a lie.” Bennett linked the alleged ignored warnings to a “mass draft-evasion coalition” that threatens the IDF’s viability. Yair Golan highlighted the parallel between the October 7 attack and the recent flydubai incident, emphasizing civilian heroism.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Egyptian warnings: The *Wall Street Journal* and *The Atlantic* report that Kamel warned Netanyahu on September 26 and again days before October 7. Israeli officials deny the warnings reached the prime minister.
- UAE warning: *Haaretz* and *The New York Times* cite a 45-minute call from bin Zayed warning of a major Hamas operation. Netanyahu’s office calls the report “an absolute lie” and has threatened libel action.
- Shin Bet involvement: Former chief Ronen Bar announced plans to sue Netanyahu for defamation after the prime minister accused Bar of withholding warnings. A Kan investigation found no contact between Bar and senior military officials on the night before October 7.
Verbatim Quote
- “I think if he would have known, he would have done something about it,” — Donald Trump
What’s Next
Israel’s election is scheduled for October 27, and the warning controversy is expected to remain a central campaign issue. Netanyahu has signaled intent to pursue a parliamentary panel of inquiry rather than a state commission, while opposition leaders promise a broader investigation if they win. President Trump indicated he may visit Israel in about two and a half years, but has not committed to any policy actions regarding the dispute.