Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed lawyers to start defamation proceedings against Haaretz after the newspaper published claims that UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan warned him of an impending Hamas operation days before the 7 October 2023 attacks. The report, based on book extracts, cites senior foreign sources and states that Netanyahu received the information in late September 2023. Netanyahu's office rejected the account, calling it part of a sinister plot. The dispute occurs weeks before Israel's 27 October general election.
Background to the reported conversation
Haaretz published the report on Tuesday, drawing from extracts of the book Hostages: 843 Days of Abandonment by Shlomi Eldar and Ruth Yuval. The newspaper states the information came from dozens of sources, documents and correspondence. According to the account, a UAE embassy representative delivered a secure phone to Netanyahu's office for a confidential call with Sheikh Mohammed. During the call, the Emirati leader reportedly conveyed that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar had described an upcoming operation as an earthquake that could cause regional destabilisation. Haaretz cited three foreign senior sources and a Palestinian adviser to Sheikh Mohammed. The report added that Bin Zayed expressed concern the event would lead to bloodshed and destabilise the entire region. Netanyahu reacted with relative calm and assessed that Hamas intended to operate in the West Bank, reassuring the UAE president that Israel was prepared for any scenario. The prime minister did not brief the heads of Shin Bet, Mossad or the army chief of staff. Sheikh Mohammed later relayed the exchange to then-CIA director William J Burns. The report said Netanyahu was warned that the then-Hamas chief in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, was planning a major operation. Haaretz has stood by its reporting and rejected Netanyahu's defamation claim, saying its sole purpose is to silence journalistic criticism. The report was the product of extensive research and was published amid rising political tension ahead of the vote.
Netanyahu's response and legal action
Netanyahu's office stated that no warning was given by the United Arab Emirates before 7 October. The office described the Haaretz report as part of a sinister plot. Netanyahu posted on X that the story had clear political timing and formed part of the left's election campaign. Likud Party officials accused Haaretz of blatant foreign interference in Israel's elections. Lawyers acting for Netanyahu have begun preparing defamation proceedings. Haaretz has stood by its reporting and rejected the claim, stating that the sole purpose of the legal move is to silence journalistic criticism. The newspaper's lawyers described the report as the product of in-depth investigation on an issue of paramount public importance and said the press fulfils its role by exposing information step by step in the absence of full public accountability. Netanyahu's office said the report was part of a sinister plot. The polls on 27 October are widely considered a referendum on Netanyahu's leadership. The prime minister has resisted an independent public inquiry into the events of 7 October, and the new report is expected to intensify pressure from critics who argue he failed to act on available intelligence.
UAE position and Israeli opposition reaction
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not directly address the specific conversation. It issued a statement noting that UAE and Israeli government entities have maintained open lines of communication since the start of their relationship more than five years ago. The ministry said all relevant intelligence has been and continues to be communicated when necessary. The statement emphasised the UAE's work toward de-escalation and regional stability since the 7 October attacks. Four opposition leaders — Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, Avigdor Lieberman and Yair Golan — issued a joint statement demanding an investigation. They said Netanyahu and his partners in the 7 October government are unfit to continue in office and pledged to work to prevent another disaster. The UAE has not addressed the conversation specifically but did not deny it either. The opposition leaders called for coordinated action to ensure accountability and avoid further security failures.
Context of accusations and election timing
The report adds to existing accusations that Netanyahu did not act quickly enough after the 7 October attacks began. On that day, Hamas-led gunmen killed about 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza during which at least 73,670 people have been killed, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry, whose figures are considered reliable by the UN. Netanyahu has resisted an independent public inquiry into the events. The Haaretz story emerged on the same day the UK announced sanctions on illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank. The Israeli government responded with countermeasures, including ordering the closure of the British consulate in occupied East Jerusalem. While that announcement drew international attention, the Haaretz report dominated domestic coverage ahead of the 27 October vote, viewed by many as a referendum on Netanyahu's leadership. Ever since 7 October, accusations have been laid against Netanyahu that he did not act quickly enough after the attack began. The timing of the story has been highlighted by the prime minister's supporters as politically motivated.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Haaretz report claim about the UAE warning?
The report claims that UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan telephoned Netanyahu in late September 2023 and warned him that Hamas was preparing a major operation described as an earthquake.
Has the UAE confirmed or denied the reported conversation?
The UAE has neither confirmed nor denied the specific call. It stated that intelligence has been shared between the two countries when necessary since the start of their diplomatic relationship.
What is Netanyahu's position on the report?
Netanyahu's office says no warning was received from the UAE before 7 October and describes the report as part of a sinister plot with political timing ahead of the election.
Why are opposition leaders calling for an investigation?
They argue that the report raises further questions about decision-making before 7 October and that Netanyahu and his coalition partners are unfit to lead without full accountability.
What legal steps has Netanyahu taken?
His lawyers have been instructed to begin defamation proceedings against Haaretz, which the newspaper says is an attempt to silence criticism.
Key takeaways
- Haaretz published claims that the UAE warned Netanyahu of a Hamas operation in September 2023.
- Netanyahu's office rejected the account and announced plans for defamation action.
- The dispute occurs three weeks before Israel's 27 October general election.
- Opposition leaders have demanded an investigation into pre-attack decision-making.
- The UAE emphasised ongoing intelligence sharing without addressing the specific reported call.
Outlook
The disagreement between Netanyahu and Haaretz is expected to continue through the election campaign. The newspaper has said it will not be deterred by legal threats, while the prime minister's office maintains that the report lacks foundation. Any court proceedings would unfold against the background of ongoing public debate over accountability for the events of 7 October 2023. [TO VERIFY: precise impact of any future court filings on election timing; monitor official UAE statements for further clarification]