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Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu sought Tuesday evening to put an end to the controversy surrounding comments made by his wife, Sara Netanyahu, declaring unequivocally that he does not believe there was any “betrayal” behind the failures of Oct. 7 and insisting that his wife never made such an accusation.

Netanyahu released a video addressing the growing furor after Sara Netanyahu raised questions about Democrats chairman and retired IDF Maj. Gen. Yair Golan’s early arrival in southern Israel on the morning of the Hamas attack.

“I’ve already been asked several times. I said: I do not think there was a betrayal on October 7. There was a major failure. All the signs were there, and they decided, based on a miscalculation, not to anger Hamas — not to wake me up and not to attack in advance. That was a failure, but it was not a betrayal, and my wife also did not say there was a betrayal. That is simply nonsense,” Netanyahu said.

His comments came after a Channel 12 report Tuesday evening alleged that Sara Netanyahu’s remarks were not an inadvertent slip but instead part of a calculated political campaign connected to the prime minister. The report further alleged that the dissemination of conspiracy theories surrounding the war was part of that effort.

According to the Channel 12 report, a Likud source claimed the strategy was intended to distance Netanyahu from responsibility for the failures surrounding Oct. 7. The source told the network that the objective was “to create disinformation and distance Netanyahu from responsibility for the October 7 massacre — at any cost.”

Netanyahu, meanwhile, made a separate allegation during an Instagram livestream Tuesday evening, asserting that senior IDF officials deliberately chose not to wake him as the attack unfolded.

“And why didn’t they wake me up? Because they knew that I, as prime minister of Israel, would have immediately given instructions to put the entire army on its feet,” Netanyahu said.

The controversy erupted following Sara Netanyahu’s interview with Channel 14 on Monday night. Discussing Golan’s actions on Oct. 7, when the retired general traveled to the Gaza border communities and helped save lives, she questioned how he had been able to arrive there so early.

“When you are a military man of such a high rank, claiming that you fought on October 7, you were already there early in the morning, already dressed and ready, at a very, very early hour, when others did not know, such as the prime minister,” Sara Netanyahu said.

Golan responded by demanding that Sara Netanyahu issue an unequivocal public apology within 24 hours and arrange for financial compensation to be donated in full to survivors of the Nova music festival. He warned that if those demands were not met, he would file a defamation lawsuit against her.

Sara Netanyahu rejected Golan’s demands, according to N12, and issued demands of her own. She reportedly called on Golan to publish a public apology and clarification within 24 hours and pay NIS 100,000 in compensation within 48 hours.

The report said Sara Netanyahu further threatened that if Golan refused to comply, she would seek NIS 1 million in damages from him.

{Matzav.com}

The management of a missionary-affiliated café in Yerushalayim is considering ending its Shabbos operations following more than six weeks of demonstrations, confrontations and disturbances outside the establishment, according to a report Tuesday evening by Channel 12 News.

No final decision has yet been made regarding the future of “Cafe BaSimta,” but closing the café on Shabbos is reportedly under serious consideration. Concern over further escalation, together with the emotional toll that the prolonged confrontations have taken on those operating the establishment, has prompted some within its management to favor ending the weekly clashes and restoring normal operations.

Protests outside the café have continued for more than six weeks and have at times become highly contentious. During that period, eggs and stones have been thrown toward the establishment, tables have been overturned and protesters have attempted to enter the café. In one incident, glue was placed inside the lock of the café’s door, while in another, feces were reportedly thrown toward the premises.

At the same time, the demonstrations have prompted supporters of the café to rally around it. Local residents, activists and elected officials have visited the establishment, and dozens of customers have arrived each Shabbos. On one occasion, patrons formed a human chain across the café’s entrance as police dispersed protesters using force and stun grenades.

“Cafe BaSimta” is operated by “Jews for Jesus,” a missionary organization that promotes Christian beliefs among Jews. According to individuals close to the café’s management who were cited in the report, officials within the organization are now questioning whether it is worthwhile to continue a battle that has transformed the establishment into a recurring flashpoint.

Management is expected to reach a decision within the coming days. Should the café ultimately halt its Shabbos operations, the move would come after more than a month and a half of weekly demonstrations outside the establishment.

{Matzav.com}