Public disputes concerning the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023, including prior warnings, security decisions, and subsequent accounts of responsibility.
Haaretz reported that United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed directly warned Benjamin Netanyahu about ten days before October 7, 2023 that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was preparing a major operation. Netanyahu and his office categorically deny that the reported call or warning occurred and say official record checks found no supporting documentation. Reporter Shlomi Eldar says he possesses documents, records, and confidential-source evidence supporting the account, but those materials have not been made public. Naftali Bennett says he knows the report is true; other opposition leaders demand an investigation. The UAE government has declined to confirm or deny the alleged conversation.
Role at the time: Official office of the prime minister of Israel
Challenged the characterization
Responding to
The Prime Minister’s Office says its review of Netanyahu’s call log and office visitor records found no documentation supporting the reported call or an Emirati representative’s visit.
"A thorough examination of the Prime Minister’s call log does not show any supporting entry."
Why we used this label
The office offers a specific record-based challenge to the alleged call. The record review is the office’s assertion and has not been independently audited in the available sources.
Role at the time: Co-author of the Haaretz investigation and related book
Challenged the characterization
Responding to
Shlomi Eldar says he possesses documents, records, and confidential-source evidence showing that Mohammed bin Zayed called Netanyahu and delivered the reported warning.
"I have the document, I have records, I have everything that shows that the president of UAE called Netanyahu."
Why we used this label
The statement directly challenges the government’s characterization of the report as fabricated. It establishes Eldar’s attributable evidentiary claim but does not make the underlying materials public.
Was Netanyahu warned by the UAE about a major Hamas operation before October 7?
"It is difficult to know how events would have developed if Netanyahu had acted and the security establishment had received the information."
Why we used this label
His response criticizes the failure to transmit the alleged information but expressly avoids claiming that action would certainly have prevented the attack.
Role at the time: Former prime minister of Israel and B’Yachad party leader
Challenged the characterization
Responding to
Naftali Bennett said the report that Netanyahu was warned ten days before October 7 about Yahya Sinwar’s intentions was true, without publicly explaining the basis for that assertion.
"“The report published this morning that Netanyahu was warned 10 days before the October 7 massacre about Sinwar’s intentions is true.”"
Why we used this label
Bennett directly disputed the Prime Minister’s Office’s categorical denial; the quoted statement asserts the report’s core allegation without publicly supplying his evidentiary basis.
Role at the time: Official foreign ministry of the United Arab Emirates
Explicitly stayed out
Responding to
Mohammed bin Zayed directly warned Benjamin Netanyahu in late September 2023 that Yahya Sinwar was preparing a major Hamas operation that could cause bloodshed and destabilize the region.
"The Ministry does not comment on media stories or speculation regarding conversations between government leaders."
Why we used this label
The ministry expressly declined to address the reported leaders’ conversation; its general statement about intelligence channels is not a confirmation or denial.
If Netanyahu received the reported warning and failed to alert security leaders or take action, that failure constituted extraordinary or criminal negligence.
"He knew. He was warned."
Why we used this label
The statement unconditionally accepts the warning characterization and condemns Netanyahu’s alleged conduct.
Role at the time: Former IDF chief of staff and Yashar party leader
Mixed or conditional
Responding to
If Netanyahu received the reported warning and failed to alert security leaders or take action, that failure constituted extraordinary or criminal negligence.
"If the publication is true, it represents a serious breach of public trust."
Why we used this label
His response combines categorical political criticism with an explicit condition concerning the truth of the newly reported call.
Role at the time: Former prime minister and B’Yachad party leader
Condemned
Responding to
If Netanyahu received the reported warning and failed to alert security leaders or take action, that failure constituted extraordinary or criminal negligence.
"Netanyahu bears personal and direct responsibility for the failure."
Why we used this label
Bennett accepts the reported warning as true and assigns direct personal responsibility rather than merely requesting verification.
