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Likud says netanyahu has sued media outlets over reports of egyptian uae warnings ahead of oct
Confirmed
In Short: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sued several news outlets and journalists over reports that he received warnings from UAE and Egyptian officials before the October 7 attacks.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sued several Israeli news outlets and journalists over recent reports that he received warnings from UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and Egypt’s intelligence chief Abbas Kamel ahead of the October 7 attacks, his Likud party announced Tuesday.
The Likud statement said Netanyahu is suing, for the sum of NIS 2.6 million ($850,000), among others, outlets Haaretz, Yedioth Aharonoth, and Channel 12, along with reporters Shlomi Eldar, Uri Misgav, Nadav Eyal, Barak Ravid, and Attila Somfalvi over the claims.
According to Likud, the reports are “a complete lie.” “It is not by accident that these lies are being published now, on the eve of an election, by political rivals and hostile foreign elements,” the party said.
Haaretz, an Israeli daily newspaper, published an expose on Monday saying that UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed called Netanyahu in September 2023, warning him of an imminent Hamas attack coming in October.
Netanyahu reportedly told bin Zayed that Hamas planned to operate in the West Bank, and that Israel was prepared for any scenario.
Netanyahu’s office called the Haaretz report an “absolute lie,” denying any communication from bin Zayed in the days leading up to Oct. 7.
The prime minister, who’s hoping to consolidate conservative voters ahead of the country’s late-October election, denies the report.
The report comes 50 days before Israelis decide whether to hand Netanyahu a seventh term as prime minister.
Netanyahu’s office denied the allegation on Tuesday evening, saying the press reports are false.
Netanyahu’s office said he provided the briefing alongside military leaders to Lapid soon after the opposition leader has requested it in response to Netanyahu’s remarks.
“During the intelligence update, alerts of possible attacks on the various fronts ahead of the elections were presented in detail,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement.
“I am sending you a message: Don’t mess with us, not now and not ever. Our long arm will reach you anywhere, anytime,” Netanyahu said.
What this adds
Netanyahu has regularly blamed Israeli security officials for the failures of October 7, and asserted that if he had been woken in the early hours of that day, when security chiefs supposedly discussed concerning signs coming from Gaza, he would have ordered swift action and prevented the massacre.
The Likud announcement came amid growing controversy over the reports that Netanyahu was warned by Arab leaders of an impending attack in the days and weeks leading up to October 7, and a day after the premier himself was threatened with a lawsuit for accusing former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar of knowing about the threat of an attack that night but choosing not to inform him.
The Emirati leader reportedly spent 45 minutes on a secure line warning Netanyahu of an imminent attack, one so severe that it threatened to upend the Abraham Accords.
Gadi Eisenkot, Netanyahu’s chief rival in the upcoming election, called the prime minister “unfit” in a social media post seen by The Associated Press.
Background
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sued several news outlets and journalists over reports that he received warnings from UAE and Egyptian officials before the October 7 attacks.
Vice President JD Vance defended President Trump's decision to ban CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House, saying they would not receive 'special access' due to their reporting.
What's confirmed
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sued several Israeli news outlets and journalists over recent reports that he received warnings from UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and Egypt’s intelligence chief Abbas Kamel ahead of the October 7 massacre, his Likud party announced Tuesday.
- According to the Haaretz report, bin Zayed phoned Netanyahu a week and a half before the terrorist attacks on Oct. 7.
- Israel: "Total Lie" UAE president 'told Netanyahu' of Hamas plan for major 'event' ahead of 7 October 2023 According to the Israeli Press, Netanyahu Received a Clear Warning Before 7 October and He Did Nothing About It. 'Bombshell' Report Says UAE Explicitly Warned Netanyahu of October 7 Attack 'Unfit': Netanyahu battered with ouster calls after 'earthquake' Oct. 7 report Netanyahu ‘Was Warned Ahead of October 7 but Failed to Act’ Netanyahu Got “Explicit Warning” Days Before Oct 7 Netanyahu was warned of Hamas attack 10 days before October 7.
What's still developing
- Netanyahu has regularly blamed Israeli security officials for the failures of October 7, and asserted that if he had been woken in the early hours of that day, when security chiefs supposedly discussed concerning signs coming from Gaza, he would have ordered swift action and prevented the massacre.
- The Likud announcement came amid growing controversy over the reports that Netanyahu was warned by Arab leaders of an impending attack in the days and weeks leading up to October 7, and a day after the premier himself was threatened with a lawsuit for accusing former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar of knowing about the threat of an attack that night but choosing not to inform him.
- Download the Straight Arrow app today to get the stories that matter free from manipulation, bias or agenda.™ The report cited multiple officials with knowledge of the call who said Netanyahu reacted with “relative calm,” saying Israel was ready.
- Gadi Eisenkot, Netanyahu’s chief rival in the upcoming election, called the prime minister “unfit” in a social media post seen by The Associated Press.
- Netanyahu's office called the Haaretz account an "absolute lie," and the underlying claim rests on anonymous officials cited in a book excerpt, not independently verified sources.
- The Emirati leader reportedly spent 45 minutes on a secure line warning Netanyahu of an imminent attack, one so severe that it threatened to upend the Abraham Accords.
- Left out by 6 of 8 who reported it Netanyahu says he will sue Haaretz for defamation.
- With Netanyahu’s actions around Oct. 7 framed as a key election issue, AP reported that Gadi Eisenkot accused Netanyahu of ignoring dozens of warnings ahead of the attack, writing, "He is unfit," while Naftali Bennett said, "Netanyahu bears personal and direct responsibility" for the deaths of thousands of Israelis on his watch. tap a side to read it in full AP News states Netanyahu was directly warned, while Netanyahu's office insists it never happened; the two sides are treated with unequal certainty.
- Netanyahu's office denies any UAE warning and says no pre-October 7 call occurred.
- Earlier, the Haaretz newspaper reported that Netanyahu had failed to inform Israel’s security chiefs or take action even after receiving a personal warning from the Emirati president.
- During the call, the Emirati leader reportedly warned Netanyahu that then-Hamas leader Yehya al-Sinwar was planning a large-scale attack on Israel.
- It cited an unidentified Emirati source who said bin Zayed had called Netanyahu just days before the Hamas attacks and warned him that the militant group was planning an assault on Israel.
Sources
- The Times of Israellink
- Fox Newslink
- Arabnewslink
- Sanlink
- Newscordlink
- Realnewsmagazinelink
- I24Newslink
- Newsweeklink
- Saudigazettelink
- Trtworldlink
- Al Jazeeralink
- WarpBeat — background on Likud says Netanyahu has sued media outlets over reports of Egyptian, UAE warnings ahead of Oct. 7 link
- WarpBeat — background on Vice President Vance Defends Trump's Ban on Media Outlets link
- MIRROR NOW — video link