Benjamin Netanyahu’s Wife Sara Netanyahu Claims Israel Opposition Leader Knew About October 7 Hamas Attack
Benjamin Netanyahu's wife Sara Netanyahu has claimed opposition leader Yair Golan knew about Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack before it happened, prompting strong condemnation from opposition figures. Golan's party called the remarks 'vile and deceitful', while Gadi Eisenkot accused her of spreading a 'mad conspiracy of betrayal' to deepen political divisions.
Benjamin Netanyahu's wife, Sara Netanyahu, has claimed that opposition figure Yair Golan was aware of Hamas's plan for the October 7, 2023, attack before it happened, triggering an immediate backlash from Israel's opposition. Her remarks come as the country remains deeply politically divided ahead of closely contested elections scheduled for October 27.
In a television interview broadcast on Monday evening, August 31, Sara Netanyahu targeted Golan, the former deputy military chief of staff who now heads Israel's centre-left Democrats party, Asharq Al-Awsat reported. She suggested Golan was "already dressed and ready" at dawn on October 7, 2023, "while others knew nothing, including the prime minister". Abbas Araghchi Calls Benjamin Netanyahu ‘Serpent’, Accuses Him of Tricking Donald Trump Into Iran War.
Sara Netanyahu Claims Israel Opposition Leader Knew About October 7 Hamas Attack
Sara Netanyahu's interview was broadcast on Israel's Channel 14, which is close to the government. Her comments quickly drew condemnation from opposition figures and Golan's political allies. Golan's party said it strongly condemned the "vile and deceitful" remarks.
"Spreading conspiracies against Major General Yair Golan, and smearing his heroism on October 7, is crossing a red line that borders on insanity," it wrote on X. Gadi Eisenkot, a former army chief who has emerged as the frontrunner to challenge Netanyahu, also criticised the comments.
He slammed the "mad conspiracy of betrayal" spread by the prime minister's wife. In a post on X, he said the comments were "intended only to stoke hatred and perpetuate Netanyahu's rule".
Political Divisions Deepen Ahead Of Election
Sara Netanyahu's accusations reflect recurrent conspiracy theories among a part of the Israeli political class and its supporters. According to a poll conducted for Channel 13 in August, 40 percent of Israelis, and 63 percent of voters for the current right-wing coalition, believe that internal treason led to the October 7 attack – the deadliest day in Israel's history.
The issue of accountability for the attack remains one of the most contentious political questions in Israel. The debate has included scrutiny of military and intelligence failures, as well as the government's preparedness before the assault.
Benjamin Netanyahu Has Deflected Blame
Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister who has billed himself as the guarantor of the country's safety, has deflected blame for the attack, saying that security officials should have woken him from his sleep.
The prime minister has faced sustained political pressure over the security failures surrounding October 7, while his government has continued to defend its handling of the conflict and broader national security policy. Sara Netanyahu's latest remarks have added another point of contention to an already polarised political debate.
October 7 Attack And Gaza War
Hamas's attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,221 people, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. Militants also took 251 hostages – 44 of them already dead – into Gaza.
Israel responded with a massive offensive in Gaza that has killed at least 73,454 people, according to the Palestinian territory's health ministry, which operates under Hamas authority and whose figures are considered reliable by the United Nations.
The conflict has since become a central issue in Israeli politics, with questions over the October 7 failures, the government's conduct of the war and the fate of hostages continuing to shape public debate. Sara Netanyahu's allegation against Golan has not been presented as established fact. It has instead become the latest flashpoint in the political dispute over responsibility and accountability for the events of October 7.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 02, 2026 09:35 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
