Netanyahu accuses the Haaretz daily of defamation after article about the UAE warning regarding the Hamas attack

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Wednesday that he intends to file a libel complaint against the daily newspaper Haaretz, following the publication of an investigation according to which the president of the United Arab Emirates, Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, allegedly warned him approximately a week and a half before the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.

According to Haaretz, the two leaders allegedly held a 45-minute phone conversation, during which Netanyahu was reportedly informed that Yahya Sinwar was preparing a large-scale operation. The newspaper stands by the information it published, but Netanyahu categorically denies it. He says that records of his calls, checked by the Prime Minister’s Office, the National Security Council, and his military secretary, do not indicate that such a discussion took place.

The UAE Foreign Ministry did not comment on the conversations between the leaders, but stated that Abu Dhabi and Israel maintain open and direct communication channels. Netanyahu also rejected reports of a similar warning conveyed by the former head of the Egyptian intelligence services.

The controversy erupts ahead of the Israeli elections on October 27. The opposition accuses the prime minister of trying to avoid responsibility for the security failures preceding the attack. The Likud party claims, without presenting evidence, that the article represents an attempt at foreign interference in the election and has called for a criminal investigation.

The Hamas attack resulted in 1,121 deaths and 251 hostages, according to the figures cited in the article.