Netanyahu Threatens Lawsuit Over UAE Warning Claims
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced his intention to initiate legal action against the newspaper Haaretz . The move follows the…
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced his intention to initiate legal action against the newspaper Haaretz. The move follows the publication of an explosive report alleging that the UAE president warned the Israeli leader of an impending Hamas offensive just days before the October 7, 2023, attacks.
In a public statement issued on Wednesday, Netanyahu dismissed the allegations as entirely “fabricated” and “false.” He confirmed that he has instructed his legal team to pursue litigation against both the publication and the journalists responsible for the story, Shlomi Eldar and Ruth Yaval.
Allegations of Advanced Warning
The Haaretz report, which surfaced this past Tuesday, suggests that UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed (MBZ) initiated a phone call with Netanyahu approximately ten days prior to the October 7 assault. The report claims that the warning detailed a looming threat from Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
According to the publication, Sinwar had communicated his intentions to intermediaries, expressing frustration over stalled prisoner exchange negotiations and the persistent blockade of the Gaza Strip. The Hamas leader reportedly warned that he was preparing a “huge surprise” and instructed contacts to alert Israel to prepare for an “earthquake.”
Intelligence Agencies and Official Denials
The report alleges that MBZ and his aides interpreted these messages as clear indicators of a full-scale offensive. Consequently, this intelligence was relayed to Israel’s Shin Bet agency. However, the internal security service purportedly dismissed the warning, and Netanyahu likewise brushed off the concerns raised by the UAE leader during their alleged conversation.
The United Arab Emirates has declined to address the specifics of the claims. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a brief statement on Tuesday emphasizing that their government
“does not comment on media stories or speculation regarding conversations between government leaders.”
Political Context of the Dispute
The timing of this report is significant, as Netanyahu is currently navigating a challenging political landscape ahead of the upcoming Knesset elections. With his polling numbers trailing and facing a high-profile challenge from former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, the Prime Minister has framed the report as a deliberate political attack.
On Wednesday, Netanyahu characterized the journalistic piece as being “politically motivated” and a component of the “left’s election campaign.” He vehemently denied that any such phone call with MBZ ever took place.
The Backdrop of Conflict
The events of October 7, 2023, remain a deeply traumatic inflection point for the region. On that day, Palestinian fighters launched an attack resulting in at least 1,195 deaths in southern Israel and the capture of approximately 251 hostages. These events triggered Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza, which has seen the death toll of Palestinians rise to at least 73,669. As legal proceedings loom, the veracity of the Haaretz report remains a focal point of intense public and political debate.
