Oct. 7 casts its shadow over Israel’s election

As Israelis prepare to vote on Oct. 27, the question of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's responsibility for the Oct. 7 attacks has become a central election issue. A key point of contention is a report alleging that Netanyahu received a 45-minute phone call from UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan 10 days before Oct. 7, warning him that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar planned a major attack. Netanyahu's office "categorically denies" this report, and there has been no confirmation from the UAE. Opponents, including former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, insist the story is true, using it to question Netanyahu's leadership and ability to confront future dangers. Netanyahu maintains he was not warned in time, stating, "If they had woken me up and warned me in time, things would not have turned out this way," and has proposed a commission of inquiry with equal political representation.