Full Breakdown
Former Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar Sues Prime Minister Netanyahu Over October 7 Blame
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
Former Shin Bet director Ronen Bar has filed a NIS 3 million (? $975,000) defamation lawsuit in the Central-Lod District Court against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Bar says Netanyahu falsely claimed he knew in advance of the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attack and deliberately failed to warn the Prime Minister, the Israel Defense Forces, or evacuate the Nova music festival. He calls the accusations a “blood libel” and seeks damages, a court-ordered correction, and disclosure of documents held by the Prime Minister’s office.
Background & Context
The October 7 assault, in which roughly three thousand Hamas militants crossed into southern Israel, sparked a prolonged conflict. In its aftermath senior security officials and political leaders publicly disputed responsibility. Hasson referenced the 1973 Agranat Commission, which held both military and political echelons accountable for intelligence failures.
Timeline
- September 26, 2023 – Netanyahu later said he did not know whom Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel met during a secret visit.
- October 7, 2023 – Hamas attack; Bar alleges his agency passed intelligence to the Military Secretariat by 3:55 a.m. and issued a situation assessment at 3:03 a.m.
- March 2025 – Netanyahu dismissed Bar, citing loss of confidence.
- June 2025 – Bar resigned after accepting responsibility for Shin Bet’s role in the intelligence failure.
- Wednesday, October 14 – Bar filed the defamation suit; Netanyahu responded the same day.
Official Statements & Responses
- Bar’s lawsuit claims the Prime Minister’s accusations aim to shift blame onto the security agencies and demands that the court order disclosure of relevant documents and waive Netanyahu’s immunity.
- Former military secretary Avi Gil clarified that the Prime Minister does not normally carry the red phone but uses it when requested, and confirmed a prior report that Bar warned Netanyahu of a possible war in July 2023.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Bar asserts that Shin Bet intelligence was transmitted to the Military Secretariat by 3:55 a.m. on October 7, while Netanyahu’s statements imply Bar failed to inform him at all. The lawsuit states Bar was unaware of the Nova music festival’s existence, contradicting Netanyahu’s claim that Bar neglected to order its evacuation. Sources differ on whether Bar’s “strategic war alert” and recommendations to target Hamas leaders were formally presented to the Prime Minister or remained internal briefings.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I sat through the Shin Bet's investigation for four and a half hours,” — Israel Hasson, deputy director
- “Ronen Bar, who saw the warning signs on the night of October 7 and didn't call me , now says he didn't have my phone number. Ronen, are you serious?” — Benjamin Netanyahu
These quotations capture Hasson’s call for accountability and Netanyahu’s direct challenge to Bar’s alleged inaction.