Former Shin Bet chief sues Netanyahu for Rp17 billion libel
New: Ronen Bar seeks 3 million shekel and accuses the PM’s office of deflecting blame ahead of Israel’s October 27 election.
Former head of Israel’s domestic security agency Shin Bet, Ronen Bar, has sued Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for defamation over Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack. In the filing, Bar seeks 3 million shekel, about Rp17 billion, and accuses Netanyahu of making allegations he knew were false to deflect responsibility for failing to stop the attack. Bar said he called Netanyahu’s military secretary, Avi Gil, when signs of the attack emerged, but did not contact Netanyahu directly because he did not have his personal number. Netanyahu responded in a Likud Party statement, saying Bar should have been able to call him immediately. The lawsuit comes ahead of Israel’s October 27 election, as Netanyahu faces political pressure over the attack that killed 1,221 people and triggered Israel’s offensive in Gaza.