A former close aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made a shocking claim, alleging that Netanyahu instructed him to devise a strategy to evade accountability for the October 7th attack. This attack, carried out by Hamas, resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people in southern Israel and the taking of 251 hostages. The former spokesperson, Eli Feldstein, revealed this during an interview with Israel's Kan news channel, where he also faced trial for allegedly leaking classified information to the press.
Netanyahu's office has vehemently denied these claims, dismissing them as a series of false and recycled allegations made by an individual with personal interests. The prime minister has consistently been accused of refusing to accept blame for the deadliest attack in Israel's history, and the details of his behavior in the immediate aftermath of the attack have been shrouded in mystery. Critics have long pointed out his reluctance to undergo an independent state inquiry.
Feldstein's statement highlights a critical aspect of Netanyahu's response to the attack. He claims that Netanyahu's first instruction after the October 7th event was to suppress calls for accountability. The aide recounted a conversation where Netanyahu asked him about the media's focus on responsibility, indicating a desire to divert attention from the question of whether the prime minister had taken responsibility.
Feldstein's account also reveals a sense of urgency and panic in Netanyahu's request. He mentioned that Netanyahu looked 'panicked' when he made the request and later instructed him to omit the word 'responsibility' from all statements. This suggests a calculated effort to manipulate public perception and media coverage.
The October 7th attack marked a turning point in the Israel-Hamas conflict, leading to a devastating war in Gaza that has resulted in the deaths of nearly 71,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The ministry's figures, while not distinguishing between civilians and combatants, indicate that around half of the deaths were women and children. The war has had profound and far-reaching consequences, and the allegations surrounding Netanyahu's response to the attack have sparked intense debate and discussion.
