Israel's election mudslinging hits a new low with toxic October 7 treason theories – editorial

Israel's election campaign, ahead of the October 27 vote, has seen a significant escalation in mudslinging, particularly concerning the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. Sara Netanyahu, wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, claimed on Channel 14 that Yair Golan, leader of The Democrats party and a former deputy IDF chief of staff, had prior knowledge of the attack. She stated, "A military man of such high rank, claiming that you fought on October 7, that already early in the morning you were there, already dressed and ready at a very, very early hour when others didn't know, such as the prime minister..."

• Prime Minister Netanyahu also suggested that IDF officers deliberately did not wake him for over an hour, implying they knew he would prevent the massacre.
• These statements are reportedly part of a deliberate Likud campaign to spread conspiracy theories and distance the premier from responsibility for the October 7 events.
• Golan has demanded an apology and threatened a lawsuit against Sara Netanyahu.
• Critics, including Yashar party chief Gadi Eisenkot, argue these conspiracy theories are designed to "fan hatred and perpetuate the Netanyahu government" and distract from the government's responsibility for the security failure.

The article suggests that an official state inquiry into the October 7 events would clarify matters, but those perpetuating the conspiracy theories are also those preventing such an inquiry.