Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed his lawyers to file a "libel lawsuit" against the Haaretz newspaper and journalist Shlomi Eldar over a report alleging that he was warned by the United Arab Emirates ahead of the October 7 2023 Hamas operation, The Jerusalem Post has reported.
In a statement cited by the newspaper on Wednesday, the Prime Minister’s Office called the Haaretz report “completely fabricated,” saying there had been no communication between Netanyahu and the UAE from the beginning of September 2023 until the October 7 operation.
The office said a review of Netanyahu’s call records and records of entries to the Prime Minister’s Office during that period showed no visit by an Emirati representative.
It accused Haaretz of publishing the report as part of a politically motivated campaign ahead of Israel’s October 27 elections.
The Prime Minister’s Office also blamed former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and former Israeli army chief Herzi Halevi for failures surrounding the October 7 operation, alleging that they had seen indications of an impending attack hours before it began but failed to inform Netanyahu in time.
Haaretz said in response to the planned lawsuit that it stood by its reporting, according to The Jerusalem Post.
‘Foreign elements’
Meanwhile, Netanyahu's ruling Likud party claimed on Wednesday that journalist Shlomi Eldar “received payment from a left-wing organisation connected to Yair Golan's Democrats party, in order to spread his false libel."
"Furthermore, about two months ago, Yair Golan and Ronen Bar secretly visited the United Arab Emirates. Is this secret visit connected to the false report published by Haaretz?" Likud claimed in a statement that was also shared by Netanyahu on X.
Likud called for a criminal investigation into Eldar, Haaretz, Yair Golan and the Democrats party over alleged attempts to interfere in Israel's upcoming elections with "foreign elements."
The dispute follows the Haaretz report alleging that Netanyahu received a warning from the UAE ahead of the October 7 2023 Hamas operation but failed to act on it.
The report prompted Israeli opposition leaders Naftali Bennett, Eisenkot, Lieberman and Golan on Tuesday to demand the immediate establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the events surrounding October 7.
In a joint statement, the opposition leaders said the Israeli public deserved to know what happened before, during and after the attack and accused Netanyahu of ignoring serious warnings that reached him directly.
They pledged to establish a state commission of inquiry immediately if they form the next government.
Netanyahu has faced sustained criticism over his government’s handling of the events leading up to the October 7 operation and has resisted calls for a state commission of inquiry, while arguing that questions of responsibility should be addressed after the war.
