Jerusalem, 14 October, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sharply rejected allegations by former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, who filed a defamation lawsuit against him Wednesday over claims concerning the security failures surrounding the October 7, 2023, Hamas massacre.
Bar accused Netanyahu of falsely portraying him as having known of the impending attack but failing to warn the prime minister or take appropriate action. Netanyahu responded that Bar had received warning signs on the night of the massacre but failed to contact him.
“Ronen Bar, who saw the warning signs on the night of October 7 and did not call me, now says he did not have my phone number. Ronen, are you serious?” Netanyahu said. He added that Bar had access to his secure hotline and could have reached him through his Shin Bet bodyguards.
Bar maintains that he repeatedly warned Netanyahu about growing threats before the attack. Both sides’ claims remain disputed.
