Israeli opposition leaders have recently criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s competency following revelations that the United Arab Emirates had warned him about a potential Hamas attack prior to October 7, 2023. This claim stems from a report by the left-leaning newspaper Haaretz, based on insights from an upcoming book by its journalists, revealing that UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan had communicated significant intelligence to Netanyahu. The report details a warning from the Emirati leader approximately ten days before the attack, suggesting that Hamas was planning a major operation.
Allegations of Inaction
In response to the alarming information, Netanyahu’s office labeled the report as “an absolute lie,” asserting that he did not have any direct conversations with the Emirati president during that critical period. Gadi Eisenkot, a former military commander and a prominent rival to Netanyahu in the upcoming elections set for October 27, condemned the prime minister for neglecting multiple warnings regarding the impending October 7 incident. Eisenkot criticized Netanyahu for employing “pathetic” justifications, including an allegation that he was not awakened early enough on the day of the attack. He expressed his concerns about Netanyahu’s fitness for leadership, stating, “Netanyahu received dozens of warnings for October 7 and ignored them all. He is unfit.”
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who is also contesting in the elections, echoed Eisenkot’s sentiments, emphasizing that Netanyahu must take full responsibility for the casualties incurred during the October attack, deeming it the most lethal incident in Israeli history. “Netanyahu cannot continue to serve in his position for even one more minute,” Bennett stated firmly. Furthermore, Yair Golan, the head of the center-left Democrats Party, accused Netanyahu of jeopardizing Israel’s security and declared that the excuses surrounding inaction would no longer suffice.
Calls for Inquiry
The demand for an independent state commission to investigate the security failures leading to the Hamas attack has gained traction among the Israeli populace. Opposition factions are prioritizing the establishment of such a commission, which would be overseen by the Supreme Court, should they gain electoral victory. However, Netanyahu’s administration has dismissed this proposal. The Haaretz report also indicated that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar had forewarned a previous Palestinian official about a “terrifying operation,” which he metaphorically labeled as an “earthquake.” This warning eventually reached the Emirati president, who then contacted Netanyahu.
The normalization of relations between the UAE and Israel in 2020, part of the US-mediated Abraham Accords during the Trump administration, is considered one of Netanyahu’s significant diplomatic achievements. Yet, the recent revelations paint a troubling picture of his response to grave security warnings. According to anonymous sources cited in Haaretz, Netanyahu responded to the UAE’s warning with a level-headedness that has drawn criticism in hindsight. For years, he maintained a strategy of preserving the status quo with Hamas, banking on the assumption that the militant group prioritized its own survival over escalating conflict with Israel.
On October 7, Hamas launched a brutal assault on Israel, marked by widespread violence and a horrific attack during a music festival, resulting in an estimated 1,221 deaths based on AFP’s tally from official Israeli figures. In addition to the fatalities, militants took approximately 251 hostages, many of whom are feared dead. In reprisal, Israeli military operations in Gaza have reportedly caused extensive destruction and significant loss of life, with figures from the Gaza health ministry, recognized by the United Nations, suggesting that about 73,658 people have died in the region. The gravity of the situation continues to evoke strong reactions from both political leaders and the general public.