In a recent social media post, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu alleged that Ronen Bar, the former head of the Shin Bet security service, orchestrated a rebellion against him on the day of the deadly October 7 attack. Netanyahu cited comments from Erez Tadmor, a right-wing organization founder, suggesting that Bar deemed Netanyahu an illegitimate leader who had previously led Israel into unnecessary wars. This accusation is part of Netanyahu's broader strategy to distance himself from any responsibility for the security failures that allowed the attack to occur.

Last week, Netanyahu released partial transcripts from cabinet meetings dating from 2014, including sessions that took place prior to the October 7 attack. His intent was to illustrate that while the security apparatus failed in its assessments, he had been behaving appropriately in his role as Prime Minister. The documents included numerous quotes from Bar, aiming to undermine claims that Netanyahu was directly responsible for the shortcomings that led to the violence.

The grave implications of Netanyahu's statements are two-fold: they not only seek to absolve him from blame but also cast doubt on Bar's leadership during critical security periods. The release of this narrative underscores the ongoing turmoil within Israeli leadership circles and raises questions about accountability, especially with Israel facing significant security challenges. As investigations into the events of October 7 continue, this narrative war may influence public perception and the political landscape in Israel.