Israel’s former security chief sues Netanyahu for October 7 defamation

What the report says

Ronen Bar, the former head of Israel’s Shin Bet domestic security agency, has filed a defamation lawsuit against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over remarks blaming him for failures tied to the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attack. According to Al Jazeera’s report, Bar says Netanyahu made false claims to shift attention away from his own responsibility, while Netanyahu has insisted that security chiefs should have warned him more directly on the morning of the assault.

The court filing, described by Al Jazeera as extensive, says Bar contacted Netanyahu’s military secretary when signs of an attack emerged, but did not have the prime minister’s direct number. Bar is seeking 3 million shekels in damages. The dispute comes amid continued recriminations over Israel’s deadliest attack and Bar’s resignation from Shin Bet in June 2025.

The case carries added political weight because it comes shortly before Israel’s October 27 election, in which Netanyahu is fighting to remain in power. Al Jazeera also reported that Bar’s claims followed separate accusations from Netanyahu’s former military secretary, Avi Gil, who said the prime minister’s office had altered records related to October 7. In the broader context, the conflict has also continued to shape political and security debates in Israel and the region, with the October 7 attack and the war in Gaza remaining central issues in public life.