Netanyahu to Sue Newspaper Over UAE October 7 Warning Report

Defamation Lawsuit and Haaretz’s Defense

The legal action follows the publication of extracts from the upcoming book Hostages: 843 Days of Abandonment, written by Shlomi Eldar and Ruth Yuval. According to Haaretz, the report relies on dozens of sources, documents, and correspondence, including three high-level foreign sources and a Palestinian adviser to the Emirati leader. The newspaper reported that an Emirati embassy representative brought a special encrypted phone to Netanyahu’s office in late September 2023 to secure the confidential call. During that conversation, Sheikh Bin Zayed allegedly warned that then-Gaza Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar was preparing an operation described as an “earthquake” that would cause massive bloodshed and destabilize the region, as reported by Haaretz.

Netanyahu’s office swiftly rejected the claims, issuing a statement calling the report part of a “sinister conspiracy.” In a post on X, Netanyahu stated that no conversation took place between the start of September 2023 and October 7, adding that his call logs had been thoroughly reviewed and showed no trace of the interaction or any visit by an Emirati representative with an encrypted phone. The prime minister’s office asserted that entry to the premier’s office requires strict documentation by security services. Netanyahu’s Likud party accused Haaretz of “flagrant foreign interference in Israel’s elections,” tying the report to the general elections scheduled for October 27. Lawyers for Haaretz defended the reporting, stating that the lawsuit’s sole purpose is to silence journalistic criticism and that the publication fulfills the press’s role in the absence of full public accountability.

Political Fallout and Intelligence Claims

The dispute unfolds against the backdrop of an intense electoral campaign in Israel, where the October 27 general election is viewed by many as a referendum on Netanyahu’s leadership. According to Haaretz, Netanyahu reacted with relative calm during the alleged September call, assessing that Hamas intended to operate in the West Bank and assuring the UAE leader that Israel was prepared. The report claims Netanyahu did not inform the heads of the Shin Bet, the Mossad, or the Israel Defense Forces chief of staff about the conversation. Meanwhile, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not explicitly deny the call, stating instead that official entities from both nations have maintained open communication channels and shared relevant intelligence when necessary.

The controversy compounds existing scrutiny over security failures surrounding the October 7, 2023, attacks, in which Hamas-led gunmen breached the Gaza border fence, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to historical figures of the conflict. Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza has resulted in at least 73,670 deaths, based on figures from the Gaza Ministry of Health deemed reliable by the United Nations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did the Haaretz report claim about the UAE and Netanyahu?

According to Haaretz, UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan called Netanyahu in late September 2023 to warn him that Hamas was planning a major operation.

How did Benjamin Netanyahu respond to the allegations?

Netanyahu denied that any such conversation took place, stated that his call logs showed no record of it, and announced plans to sue Haaretz for defamation, calling the report a conspiracy.

What was the UAE’s official response?

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not address the specific phone call but emphasized that government entities have maintained direct communication channels and shared relevant intelligence since relations were established.

When are the upcoming general elections in Israel?

General elections in Israel are scheduled for October 27.