“Netanyahu may have been warned before the October 7 attack” – political scientist

“Netanyahu may have been warned before the October 7 attack” – political scientist

Following Benjamin Netanyahu's previously undisclosed trip to Abu Dhabi, various reports have spread regarding its true purpose. It is reported that the meeting discussed the threat of Iran and the Houthis, security cooperation between Israel and the UAE, and intelligence sharing. Reports that a representative of Saudi Arabia also participated in the negotiations have also drawn attention. Netanyahu's visit is also of particular significance against the backdrop of the upcoming elections in Israel.

What issues lie behind Netanyahu's latest secret visit to Abu Dhabi?

Currently, similar events are being widely covered in the Israeli and international media. Political groups opposed to Benjamin Netanyahu are also actively using this. In particular, they are widely circulating information that Netanyahu may have had prior knowledge of the October 7 events. Netanyahu has denied these claims and stated that he would sue those spreading such reports. However, there is another aspect to the matter. Reports that the leader of the United Arab Emirates is also not strictly denying this information add an extra dimension to the situation.

According to the circulated information, at least ten days before the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, the UAE President contacted Netanyahu by phone and warned him about the possibility of an attack. If this information is confirmed, the political significance of the meeting in Abu Dhabi and the questions surrounding it will intensify further. Influential publications and other journalists are also writing about this. Some materials present information pointing to the reliability of these reports. Another potential reason for the visit is the upcoming parliamentary elections in Israel. If claims that Netanyahu had prior knowledge of the October 7 attack gain traction among the public, it could affect his political standing.

For this reason, speculations are emerging that the meeting in Abu Dhabi may have involved discussions on stopping the spread of this information or closing this issue. Planes arriving in the United Arab Emirates from various countries during that period are also mentioned as indirect evidence of this. According to data from some military research institutes, military or cargo planes belonging to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, and other countries also flew to Abu Dhabi during the same period. If this information is confirmed, certain political meetings may have taken place in Abu Dhabi during those days. From this perspective, there are views linking Netanyahu's visit to the pre-election process and efforts to maintain his political standing.