A significant legal and media controversy has erupted following an unprecedented defamation lawsuit filed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against a long list of Israeli media organizations and journalists. The lawsuit, filed in the Jerusalem District Court, seeks 2. 6 million NIS in damages. Defendants include the Haaretz publishing group, Yedioth Ahronoth group, Ynet, and Channel 12, alongside prominent journalists and commentators such as Shlomi Eldar, Ruthi Yuval, Uri Misgav, Nadav Eyal, Barak Ravid, and Attila Somfalvi.
According to reports by ICE, the lawsuit centers on investigations and reports published recently alleging that the Prime Minister received specific, early warnings regarding the planned Hamas attack but chose to withhold this critical information from security establishment leaders. The reports focused, among other things, on an alleged conversation between Netanyahu and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed, as well as an alleged early warning delivered by former Egyptian Intelligence Minister Abbas Kamel.
In his filing, Netanyahu categorically denies these claims. The Prime Minister labels the reports as absolute lies, asserting that no direct communication or meeting with the aforementioned parties occurred during the relevant period, noting that the absence of official documentation in his office and various delegations supports his position. The claim highlights the timing of the publications, which the plaintiff argues occurred close to election periods and the closure of party lists.
It is alleged that the defendant media outlets and journalists knew the information was untrue but chose to publish it at a sensitive political juncture with the declared aim of influencing voter decisions and assisting political rivals. Netanyahu claims this constitutes manipulation intended to damage his election campaign. The lawsuit further asserts that reports appearing in foreign media, cited as validation, are merely spins based on the Israeli sources themselves.
Concurrently, the Likud party issued an official statement supporting Netanyahu's legal action, claiming that official sources from the UAE and Egypt have already denied the media reports. According to the party, this is a fabrication intended to lead to the collapse of the right-wing government and its replacement with a government holding a different political agenda. It is emphasized that these claims have not yet been adjudicated, and the legal arguments require factual clarification in court.