Netanyahu retracts criticism of Israeli intel agencies after backlash

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
29 Oct 2023 13:57
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Israeli Minister Benny Gantz and opposition leader Yair Lapid slam Netanyahu for not being responsible and blaming others for the October 7 failure.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz in the Kirya military base in "Tel Aviv", Occupied Palestine, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023 (AP)

Israeli Minister Benny Gantz slammed Netanyahu following his statements criticizing the "Shin Bet" and "Aman" chiefs.

The Israeli Prime Minister had tried to absolve himself of the responsibility for the massive intelligence failure on October 7, as he said he received no warning regarding Hamas operations from either of the two intelligence apparatuses.

"In wartime, leaders must show responsibility, Netanyahu must retract his statements," Benny Gantz said. Furthermore, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said that Netanyahu crossed a red line, and said that he must apologize for his statement.

הבוקר הזה במיוחד אני מבקש לגבות ולחזק את כל גורמי הביטחון וחיילי צה"ל – כולל הרמטכ״ל, ראש אמ"ן וראש השב"כ. כשאנחנו נמצאים במלחמה, מנהיגות צריכה לגלות אחריות, להחליט לעשות את הדברים הנכונים ולחזק את הכוחות באופן שהם יוכלו לממש את שאנחנו דורשים מהם. כל פעולה או אמירה אחרת - פוגעות…
— בני גנץ - Benny Gantz (@gantzbe) October 29, 2023

"Netanyahu's attempt to evade responsibility and blame the security establishment weakens the Israeli Army," Lapid added.

Netanyahu retracts his words

After the storm of criticism and attacks that erupted due to his statements, Netanyahu deleted his tweet on "X".

Netanyahu had issued a statement at night on "X" criticizing the head of the Amanand the head of the Shin Bet after they refused to take responsibility.

טעיתי. דברים שאמרתי בעקבות מסיבת העיתונאים לא היו צריכים להיאמר ואני מתנצל על כך. אני נותן גיבוי מלא לכל ראשי זרועות הביטחון. אני מחזק את הרמטכ״ל ואת מפקדי וחיילי צה״ל שנמצאים בחזית ונלחמים על הבית. יחד ננצח.
— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) October 29, 2023

Israeli news website Ynet stated that "the Prime Minister denied the allegations for the second time last night, alleging that the heads of the Aman and Shin Bet had sent him documents in the months leading up to the war, in which the likelihood of a war outbreak was increasing."

Netanyahu described these allegations as "false" after a clear question from the "Army Radio" on receiving any intel documents about a potential attack, and he later posted his response on the "X" platform.

Israeli media reported that the spokesperson for the Israeli military "refused to answer a question about Netanyahu's accusations against the heads of the Shin Bet and the Mossad regarding the failure on the seventh of October," and only stated that "the focus is now on the war."

Earlier this week, The New York Times reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is face-to-face with his own forces after refusing to sign off on plans concerning the ground invasion in Gaza.

Citing multiple sources, the NYT stated that the Israeli leadership has aimed to "obliterate" the Palestinian Resistance in retaliation for the October 7 Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, but no agreement has been reached regarding how, when, and to what extent.

Other than the 8,000 #Palestinians murdered in #Gaza, "Israel" has also killed 114 Palestinians in the occupied #WestBank since October 7.#Palestine pic.twitter.com/5RuG7s2bro
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 29, 2023