Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened to sue Haaretz over its report that he ignored the UAE president’s explicit warning about Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks, revelations that caused uproar in Israel and widened Netanyahu’s rift with Abu Dhabi.
The allegations, which Netanyahu denies, have energized his domestic opponents, some of whom are viewed more favorably in Abu Dhabi, ahead of critical Israeli elections next month; polls show the prime minister appears to be losing ground.
Netanyahu is targeting a record seventh term but faces hawkish candidates who blame him for undermining national security. “Everyone in Israel shares a sense of historical crisis, and his name is all over it,” an Israeli analyst told Reuters.