Netanyahu Launches Defamation Suit Against Ha"aretz Over UAE Warning Claims

Israeli Prime Minister "Benjamin Netanyahu" has instructed his attorneys to file a defamation case against the newspaper Ha"aretz after it published a story that the UAE President "Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed" warned him that Hamas was planning a major assault weeks before the October 7 attacks.

According to excerpts from a book published by Ha"aretz, a phone call between the two leaders took place in late September 2023. The report claims that Sheikh Mohammed relayed that Hamas chief "Yahya Sinwar" had told a former Palestinian official that an "earthquake"‑level operation was being prepared in the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu allegedly responded by stating that the threat might be directed at the West Bank and assured the UAE that Israel was prepared for any scenario.

The prime minister’s office has dismissed the allegation, calling the coverage a "sinister plot" and asserting that no warning was received from the UAE before the attacks. The story comes at a critical time as Israel’s general election campaign heats up, with polls indicating a referendum on Netanyahu’s leadership.

Ha"aretz counters that it stands by the report, arguing that the article is the product of "in‑depth journalistic investigation" and "several dozen sources, documents and correspondence." The newspaper also outlines that the UAE‑Israel communication line had been active for more than five years, but it has declined to comment particularly on the alleged conversation.

Lawyers for Ha"aretz have issued a letter urging Netanyahu’s camp not to be intimidated, asserting that the public has a right to be informed. The letter stresses that the report addresses "an issue of paramount public importance" and that the press plays a vital role when governmental accountability falters.

Opposition leaders, including Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, Avigdor Lieberman, and Yair Golan, have demanded an inquiry into the events of 7 October, accusing Netanyahu of incompetence and of failing to act swiftly enough. Four of the main parties have collectively declared Netanyahu and his partners unsuitable to remain in office.

The incident also highlights the scale of the 7 October attacks: thousands of Hamas gunmen breached the Gaza border fence, targeting communities, military bases, and the Supernova music festival, resulting in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and 251 hostages. Israel responded with a large-scale military campaign in Gaza, which the Hamas-run health ministry reports as killing over 73,000 civilians, although the figure remains contested.

This defamation lawsuit is likely to intensify scrutiny of Netanyahu’s leadership and could significantly influence the political narrative leading up to the October 27 election. The outcome of the legal battle and the mounting investigations may shape public perception of the prime minister’s conduct during the Gaza conflict.