Bar sues Netanyahu over claims that former Shin Bet chief knew of October 7 attack in advance

Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar has filed a NIS 3 million (almost $1 million) defamation lawsuit against Prime Minister Netanyahu, alleging that the premier falsely accused him of knowing in advance about the October 7 attack and deliberately withholding that information.

The lawsuit, filed in the Central-Lod District Court, centers on a post Netanyahu published on X accusing Bar of “failures and crimes” on the night of the Hamas-led massacre.

Bar alleges that the post forms part of a coordinated campaign to shift responsibility for the October 7 failures away from Netanyahu and onto him and the security agencies.

According to the lawsuit, Netanyahu accused Bar of knowingly failing to inform the political leadership, warn IDF troops and local security teams, or evacuate the Nova music festival. Bar calls the allegations a “blood libel” and says the prime minister’s military secretariat received updates in real time that night.

The filing also details warnings Bar says he delivered to Netanyahu throughout 2023 about Hamas’s growing strength, the erosion of Israeli deterrence and the risk of war on multiple fronts. Bar says he issued a “strategic war alert” several months before October 7.

Bar further alleges that Netanyahu disregarded Shin Bet assessments, blocked proposals for offensive operations and the targeted killing of Hamas leaders, and pursued a policy of “quiet at any price,” including allowing Qatari funds to continue flowing into Gaza.

The lawsuit cites a November 7, 2022, meeting at which Bar says he recommended killing Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. According to the filing, the recommendation was not advanced.

Bar also links the alleged campaign against him to his opposition to using the Shin Bet as a “secret police” force against political protesters. The filing references his previous statement raising security concerns about advisers in the Prime Minister’s Office who were also connected to an influence campaign on behalf of Qatar.

Bar resigned in June 2025 after accepting responsibility for the Shin Bet’s role in the intelligence failure. He has repeatedly called for an independent state commission of inquiry into October 7.

In the lawsuit, Bar asks the court to order the disclosure of relevant documents and meeting records held by Netanyahu. He alleges that the prime minister’s opposition to establishing a state commission of inquiry is intended to keep the facts from the public.