High-profile case9/29/2026

Ronen Bar Intends to File a Defamation Lawsuit Against Benjamin Netanyahu

Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar has instructed his attorneys to file a defamation lawsuit against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The grounds are public accusations that Bar failed to inform the prime minister and forces in the field about signs of a possible attack before October 7, 2023.

Key facts

•Parties: Ronen Bar and Benjamin Netanyahu
•Subject: Intention to file a defamation lawsuit
•Source publication date: September 29, 2026
•The case number and court were not specified
•The amount claimed was not specified
•No judicial ruling has yet been issued

What Netanyahu Published

In a post on the social media platform X, Netanyahu claimed that on the night of October 7, Bar discussed the alarming signs with then-IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and Military Intelligence Directorate chief Aharon Haliva. According to the prime minister, despite this, Bar decided not to call him, did not warn the civilian security squads or IDF forces in the field, and did not order the evacuation of the “Nova” festival. Netanyahu also cited the deployment of a small “Tequila” force as evidence that Bar knew of a tangible danger.

Ronen Bar’s Position

Bar said that Netanyahu’s statements do not reflect reality and are part of a campaign directed against him. According to the former Shin Bet chief’s account, he warned the prime minister of the approaching threat and even recommended restoring deterrence and reinforcing the border. At this stage, these claims are the parties’ positions and not findings by a court.

What Materials Bar Intends to Demand

Bar announced that he would seek disclosure of testimony and documents concerning the transfer of information on the eve of October 7, including Netanyahu’s schedule of meetings with representatives of the defense establishment and foreign officials. He also intends to summon employees in the Prime Minister’s Office and the prime minister’s aides to testify. Bar called for the immediate publication of all the documents so that the public could see the full picture.

No Judicial Ruling Has Yet Been Issued

The source reports only that the attorneys were instructed to file a lawsuit: the case number, court, amount claimed, and filing date were not specified. Accordingly, the legal basis for the parties’ claims and objections has not yet been determined. The article also did not specify any particular statute under which the lawsuit is planned to be filed.

What this means for you

The situation illustrates that public statements about the actions of a particular person may become the subject of a defamation lawsuit, and that documents and witness testimony may form part of the evidentiary process. However, the mere announcement of a lawsuit does not mean that the case has already been opened or that the court has determined any account to be true. The practical implications will become clear after the lawsuit is filed and information about the progress of the proceedings is published.

Find a lawyer for this topic

Case analysis based on court rulings