In the immediate aftermath of the devastating Hamas attack on October 7th, 2023, a chilling directive allegedly came from the highest office in Israel. Eli Feldstein, a former close aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, claims the leader’s first concern wasn’t with the staggering loss of life, but with shielding himself from accountability.
Feldstein, currently facing trial on separate charges of leaking classified information, revealed this startling accusation during a recent interview. He described a scene of palpable anxiety within Netanyahu’s inner circle, a frantic attempt to control the narrative before responsibility could be assigned.
The initial task, according to Feldstein, was to actively suppress any discussion of accountability. Netanyahu reportedly pressed, “What are they talking about in the news? Are they still talking about responsibility?” – a question revealing a preoccupation with public perception rather than national grief.
Feldstein was allegedly instructed to devise a strategy to deflect the mounting media scrutiny. He recounts being told to find a way to offset the growing chorus demanding the prime minister address his role in the security failures that allowed the attack to happen.
The atmosphere, Feldstein described, was one of sheer panic. He further alleges that instructions were given to remove the very word “responsibility” from all official statements, a deliberate attempt to erase the question from public discourse.
The Hamas attack itself was a brutal assault, claiming the lives of approximately 1,200 people in southern Israel and resulting in the abduction of 251 hostages. This horrific event ignited a large-scale military response, plunging Gaza into a devastating war.
The conflict in Gaza has resulted in nearly 71,000 Palestinian deaths, according to reports from the Gaza Health Ministry. These figures, while encompassing both civilians and combatants, reveal the immense human cost of the ongoing conflict, with a disproportionate number of women and children among the casualties.
Netanyahu’s office vehemently dismissed Feldstein’s claims as a “long series of mendacious and recycled allegations.” They characterized the former aide as motivated by self-interest, attempting to deflect attention from his own legal troubles.
Feldstein’s accusations emerge as he stands indicted for allegedly leaking sensitive military information to a German tabloid, purportedly to improve Netanyahu’s public image following the deaths of six hostages in Gaza. This incident further complicates the narrative surrounding his testimony.
Adding another layer of complexity, Feldstein is also implicated in the “Qatargate” scandal, accused alongside another aide of accepting funds from Qatar while simultaneously serving the prime minister. These allegations raise serious questions about potential conflicts of interest and undue influence.
