Prime Minister Netanyahu files defamation suit against newspaper over alleged UAE October 7 warning

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed his legal team to initiate defamation proceedings against a prominent Israeli publication following a report alleging he received a direct warning from the United Arab Emirates about an impending Hamas operation just days before the October 7, 2023, attacks. The Prime Minister’s office vehemently denies these claims, characterizing the report as part of a “sinister plot” orchestrated with clear political motivations. The newspaper, a long-standing critic of the current administration, stands firmly behind its journalistic findings, asserting that its purpose is to ensure public accountability.

The controversy erupts as Israel gears up for a general election campaign, widely viewed as a critical assessment of Netanyahu’s leadership. The report, if proven true, could significantly impact public perception and further fuel existing criticisms regarding the government’s preparedness and response to the devastating events of October 7.

This legal confrontation underscores a deepening rift between the government and segments of the media, highlighting the intense political climate surrounding the ongoing conflict and the quest for accountability.

Controversial allegations spark legal battle

The legal action stems from extracts published by the newspaper, which cited a September 2023 phone call between Prime Minister Netanyahu and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. According to the publication, the Emirati leader explicitly cautioned Netanyahu about Hamas’s then-Gaza chief, Yahya Sinwar, actively planning a significant military operation.

Netanyahu’s office swiftly rejected the report’s assertions, stating unequivocally that “no warning was given to the prime minister from the United Arab Emirates before October 7.” The office further condemned the article as a component of a “sinister plot,” aimed at undermining the Prime Minister’s standing.

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The alleged warning: A high-stakes phone call

The report, which surfaced earlier this week, detailed the purported high-level communication. It referenced three undisclosed “foreign senior sources” and a Palestinian adviser to Sheikh Mohammed, who claimed that in the final days of September 2023, a representative from the UAE embassy delivered a specialized secure phone to the Israeli Prime Minister’s office, ensuring the utmost confidentiality for the conversation.

During this critical call, as reported, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan allegedly delivered an explicit warning to Netanyahu. The Emirati leader reportedly conveyed information that Sinwar had informed a former Palestinian official of Hamas’s preparations for a major operation, which he chillingly described as an “earthquake.”

The UAE President reportedly expressed profound concern that such an event would not only lead to widespread bloodshed but also severely destabilize the entire region. However, the report suggested that Prime Minister Netanyahu responded with “relative calm,” asserting his assessment that Hamas’s intentions were focused on the West Bank area and reassuring his counterpart of Israel’s full preparedness for any contingency.

Official denial and claims of political maneuvering

The Prime Minister’s Likud Party was quick to denounce the newspaper’s story, labeling it as “blatant foreign interference in Israel’s elections.” This accusation aligns with Netanyahu’s own public statements, where he described the timing of the story as having “clear political timing, as part of the left’s election campaign,” implying a coordinated effort to influence the upcoming polls.

The strong denial from the Prime Minister’s office underscores the gravity of the allegations, particularly given the ongoing scrutiny of the government’s actions leading up to and during the October 7 attacks. The narrative of an unheeded warning directly challenges the official stance and could erode public trust.

Such accusations of a “sinister plot” highlight the deep political polarization within Israel, where any perceived misstep or intelligence failure is quickly politicized. The timing of the report, coinciding with the election cycle, intensifies the debate over leadership accountability.

The government’s immediate and forceful rebuttal reflects an attempt to control the narrative and mitigate potential damage to Netanyahu’s political image. The claims of political motivation are a common tactic used to discredit critical reporting, especially during sensitive periods like an election campaign.

Haaretz defends its reporting amidst backlash

The newspaper, which has historically maintained a critical stance toward the Prime Minister, has firmly upheld the veracity of its report. Its legal representatives have rejected Netanyahu’s defamation claims, characterizing them as transparent attempts to suppress journalistic scrutiny and silence dissenting voices.

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In a formal letter, the newspaper’s lawyers stated that the article was “the product of in-depth journalistic investigations and is based on sources pertaining to an issue of paramount public importance.” They further emphasized the crucial role of the press in holding power accountable, especially “in the absence of full accountability to the public on behalf of your client,” asserting that the media fulfills its duty by incrementally revealing information to the public.

Broader implications for Israeli leadership

This unfolding controversy arrives at a particularly sensitive moment for Israel. Since the devastating October 7 attacks, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the abduction of 251 others, Prime Minister Netanyahu has faced persistent accusations of failing to act swiftly enough. His administration has also resisted calls for an independent public inquiry into the events surrounding the attacks. This latest report, with its explosive allegations of a disregarded warning, is poised to intensify critics’ suspicions and further complicate the political landscape. The upcoming elections, scheduled for October, are widely perceived as a referendum on Netanyahu’s prolonged tenure and his handling of national security. The information contained in the report, sourced from extensive research for a book titled “Hostages: 843 Days of Abandonment,” written by Shlomi Eldar and Ruth Yuval, suggests a critical lapse in judgment or communication that could have far-reaching consequences for the nation’s leadership and its future direction.

Regional diplomatic responses and intelligence channels

While the United Arab Emirates has refrained from directly confirming or denying the specific details of the alleged phone call, its Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement emphasizing its consistent efforts towards de-escalation, regional stability, and preventing violence since the Hamas attack. The statement highlighted that “UAE and Israeli government entities have maintained open and direct lines of communication since the inception of the relationship more than five years ago” and confirmed that “when necessary, all relevant intelligence has been and continues to be communicated between the relevant entities.”

Opposition leaders demand investigation

The report has galvanized Israel’s political opposition, with four leading figures issuing a joint statement demanding an immediate and thorough investigation into the allegations. Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, Avigdor Lieberman, and Yair Golan collectively declared that “Netanyahu and his partners in the October 7 government are unfit to continue in office,” directly challenging the administration’s capacity to govern.

They further pledged to “work with the coordination and responsibility required to prevent them from leading to another disaster,” signaling a unified front against the current leadership. The opposition’s call for an inquiry reflects a growing demand for transparency and accountability regarding the intelligence failures and governmental responses surrounding the October 7 attacks.