In a series of statements on Channel 14, commentator Yaakov Bardugo and former senior intelligence official Tamir Morag alleged that deep-state elements within the security establishment disregarded Prime Minister Netanyahu and sidestepped standard protocols before the October 7 attack. Morag claimed Shin Bet director Ronen Bar failed to wake the PM on the night of October 7 because he 'dismissed' Netanyahu and feared a 'miscalculation.' The allegations, aired during a weekday evening broadcast, are unverified by other sources.
In a pair of statements aired on Channel 14's evening broadcast on Monday night, commentator Yaakov Bardugo and former senior defense official Tamir Morag delivered sharp allegations about the conduct of Israel's intelligence and security leadership in the period preceding and during the October 7, 2023 attack.
Bardugo argued that a 'deep state' system had been created that was 'controlled by irresponsible people,' adding that while those elements saw themselves as opposing the government, in practice they 'opposed the state.' Morag, speaking specifically about the night of October 7, alleged that Shin Bet director Ronen Bar did not call Prime Minister Netanyahu because Bar 'dismissed' the prime minister and thought waking him would lead to a 'miscalculation.' Morag added that 'had Netanyahu been allowed to appoint whomever he wanted, he would have been woken up.'
The allegations come amid ongoing public discourse about institutional failures during the October 7 attack, as documented in several previous reports. Neither Bardugo nor Morag provided specific documentary evidence for their claims during the broadcast, and the statements remain without corroboration from official or independent sources. The claims have not been addressed by the Shin Bet or the Prime Minister's Office as of publication.
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