Ronen Bar Sues Benjamin Netanyahu for Defamation

Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar filed a defamation lawsuit seeking 3 million shekels against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Central District Court. Bar alleges that Netanyahu used social media to publish false accusations claiming the security chief withheld critical warnings before the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks.

Bar asserts he repeatedly warned Netanyahu of a multi-front escalation and proposed offensive measures against Hamas leaders. He claims these warnings were ignored in favor of a policy of restraint that allowed Qatari funding to strengthen Hamas. While Bar accepts responsibility for the Shin Bet's failure to predict the timing and scale of the attack, he disputes claims that he concealed information on the morning of October 7, noting an alert was sent to security agencies at 3:03 a.m.

Netanyahu has dismissed these claims, arguing that Bar had his secure phone number and failed to call him directly. Bar maintains the lawsuit is necessary because Netanyahu has blocked the establishment of a state commission of inquiry.