Ronen Bar sues Netanyahu for defamation over October 7 accountability

Ronen Bar Benjamin Netanyahu Shin Bet October 7 attacks defamation lawsuit

Ronen Bar, the former head of Israel’s internal security service (Shin Bet), has filed a defamation lawsuit against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Tel Aviv District Court. Bar is seeking 3 million shekels (approximately $862,500 to $968,500) in damages.

The legal action centers on the accountability for the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks. Bar alleges that Netanyahu has used false accusations to deflect personal responsibility for the security failure by blaming intelligence officials. While Bar admitted that the Shin Bet failed to anticipate the scale and timing of the attack, he maintains that he and the agency provided repeated warnings regarding Hamas's activities prior to the assault.

Netanyahu has countered these claims, asserting that Bar failed to alert him immediately during the attack and that the security chief had his direct number. Additionally, former military secretary Avi Gil has alleged that the Prime Minister’s office attempted to falsify official records to make it appear that Netanyahu was informed of the attack earlier than he actually was. The dispute comes as Israel prepares for upcoming elections.

Entities

Avi Gil · Benjamin Netanyahu · Gadi Eisenkot · Hamas · Israel · Itamar Ben-Gvir · Ronen Bar · Shin Bet · Tel Aviv District Court

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 16 SOURCES] Bar is seeking 3 million shekels in compensation. pnn.ps · bahamasspectator.com · jamaicainquirer.com · trinidadtribune.com · barbadosgazette.com · +11 more
[● 18 SOURCES] Ronen Bar claims he warned Netanyahu multiple times about potential threats related to Hamas prior to October 7. www.capital.gr · pnn.ps · www.powergame.gr · bahamasspectator.com · jamaicainquirer.com · +13 more
[DISPUTED] Netanyahu has repeatedly claimed that Bar did not inform him of the security threats. www.capital.gr · pnn.ps · www.powergame.gr · bahamasspectator.com · jamaicainquirer.com · +12 more
[● 19 SOURCES] Ronen Bar filed a defamation lawsuit against Benjamin Netanyahu in the Tel Aviv District Court. www.capital.gr · pnn.ps · www.powergame.gr · bahamasspectator.com · jamaicainquirer.com · +14 more
[● 18 SOURCES] Bar alleges Netanyahu used false accusations to deflect from his own responsibility regarding the October 7 attacks. www.capital.gr · www.powergame.gr · bahamasspectator.com · jamaicainquirer.com · trinidadtribune.com · +13 more
[DISPUTED] Bar claims he telephoned the prime minister’s military secretary when signs of an attack became apparent. bahamasspectator.com · jamaicainquirer.com · trinidadtribune.com · barbadosgazette.com · worldisraelnews.com · +12 more
[● 16 SOURCES] Bar is seeking 3 million shekels (approximately $900,000 to $968,500) in damages. bahamasspectator.com · jamaicainquirer.com · trinidadtribune.com · barbadosgazette.com · worldisraelnews.com · +11 more
[● 16 SOURCES] Bar admits responsibility for the Shin Bet’s failure to provide intelligence regarding the October 7 attack. worldisraelnews.com · pnn.ps · bahamasspectator.com · giaoducthoidai.vn · jamaicainquirer.com · +11 more
[● 14 SOURCES] The lawsuit argues that Netanyahu’s policies increased dangers posed by terrorist organisations in Gaza. bahamasspectator.com · jamaicainquirer.com · trinidadtribune.com · barbadosgazette.com · worldisraelnews.com · +9 more
[● 6 SOURCES] Netanyahu asserts that Bar had his direct number and failed to call him immediately during the attack. bahamasspectator.com · jamaicainquirer.com · trinidadtribune.com · barbadosgazette.com · infos-israel.news · +1 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] Ronen Bar filed a defamation lawsuit against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Tel Aviv District Court. worldisraelnews.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Former military secretary Avi Gil alleges the Prime Minister’s office attempted to alter the official record of a crucial phone call time on October 7. rt-english.com