Netanyahu Blames Intel, Not Politics, for October 7 Massacre

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly rejected accusations that he or his government bear responsibility for the catastrophic Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deadliest assault in Israel’s history.

In a carefully staged eight-minute English-language interview released on his social media platforms, Netanyahu reaffirmed that the failure to prevent the attack lay squarely with the Israeli security establishment, not the political leadership.

This video interview, conducted by his recently appointed international affairs advisor, American-Israeli journalist Caroline Glick, came amid increasing political instability within his coalition,

It also came amid mounting criticism that Netanyahu has deliberately prolonged the war in Gaza for political gain.

Netanyahu’s video, captioned “Just the facts,” directly addressed persistent international media questions and domestic allegations.

He dismissed claims that the internal political turmoil caused by his government’s controversial judicial overhaul agenda contributed to the attack as “bogus.”

He emphasized that despite political debates, Israelis united across the political spectrum when the attack occurred.

Netanyahu also denied reports from former military and intelligence chiefs suggesting they had warned him months in advance about the imminent threat.

He insisting instead that the security agencies convinced the government that Hamas was deterred and posed no immediate danger.

The prime minister strongly criticized the Israeli security agencies for misleading him and withholding critical intelligence.

He claimed that defense officials downplayed the threat of Hamas, assuring him that the group was focused on economic benefits rather than military aggression.

Netanyahu insisted that he personally made all key wartime decisions and rejected accusations that his political agenda or coalition considerations influenced his handling of national security.

However, these assertions stand in stark contrast to findings from Israel’s internal security agency, Shin Bet, and investigative reports.

A Shin Bet investigation identified Netanyahu’s policy of allowing Qatari funds into Gaza as a significant failure.

It claims Netanyahu’s policies indirectly strengthened Hamas’s military capabilities, contributing to the October 7 attack.

Between 2018 and 2023, hundreds of millions of dollars flowed into Gaza with Netanyahu’s approval.

These were initially intended as humanitarian aid amid the blockade but ultimately bolstering Hamas’s governance and military wing.

Shin Bet’s report acknowledged its own intelligence failures but explicitly pointed to Netanyahu’s failure to act on warning signs as a critical factor.

Moreover, a detailed Hamas battle plan, known as the “Jericho Wall” document, was reportedly obtained by Israeli intelligence over a year before the attack.

This 40-page blueprint meticulously outlined the tactics and objectives Hamas would employ on October 7.

These including rocket barrages, drone attacks to disable surveillance, and infiltration by gunmen using paragliders, motorcycles, and on foot.

Despite this, Israeli military and intelligence officials dismissed the plan as aspirational and beyond Hamas’s capabilities, leading to a catastrophic underestimation of the threat.

It remains unclear whether Netanyahu or other senior political leaders were fully briefed on this intelligence.

Netanyahu’s public stance has been to express deep sorrow for the attack without explicitly accepting personal responsibility.

In an earlier interview with Time magazine, he said he was “sorry, deeply” that the attack occurred.

He also acknowledged that hindsight always raises questions about what could have been done differently.

Yet, he resisted calls for an immediate state commission of inquiry into the failures preceding the attack, insisting that such investigations should wait until after the war concludes.

This reluctance has drawn criticism from various quarters, including some members of his own coalition and families of victims.

The political fallout from the October 7 attack continues to challenge Netanyahu’s leadership.

Polls indicate that a significant majority of Israelis, around 73% according to the Israel Democracy Institute, believe Netanyahu should take responsibility for the failures and consider resignation either now or after the war.

Additionally, investigative journalism, including a New York Times report, has suggested that Netanyahu’s wartime policies and political calculations may have influenced the conflict’s duration.

This fuels allegations that he has prolonged the war for political advantage.

Despite these pressures, Netanyahu remains defiant.

In his recent video, he reiterated his belief that the security establishment’s misjudgments, rather than his government’s actions, were to blame for the October 7 tragedy.

He also condemned charges against some of his key aides as baseless and unfounded, further signaling his intent to maintain a strong grip on power amid ongoing turmoil.

In summary, Benjamin Netanyahu’s response to the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack is characterized by:

• a firm denial of political responsibility,
• a pointed critique of the Israeli security agencies, and,
• a defense of his wartime leadership.

While he expresses regret over the attack’s devastating consequences, he rejects allegations that his political decisions or coalition dynamics contributed to the security failures.

This stance contrasts with internal investigations and external reports that highlight significant policy and intelligence shortcomings under his leadership.

These shortcomings have reportedly intensified calls for accountability and independent inquiry.

The episode remains a defining and contentious chapter in Netanyahu’s tenure as Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, with profound implications for Israeli politics and security policy going forward.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook