Former Netanyahu spokesperson Eli Feldstein, who faces trial for allegedly leaking classified information to the press, made the explosive accusation during an extensive interview with Israel's Kan news channel.

Critics have repeatedly accused Benjamin Netanyahu of refusing to accept blame for the deadliest attack in Israel's history. But little is known about Netanyahu's behavior in the days immediately following the attack, while the premier has consistently resisted an independent state inquiry.

Speaking to Kan, Feldstein said "the first task" he received from Netanyahu after 7 Oct 2023, was to stifle calls for accountability.

"He asked me, What are they talking about in the news? Are they still talking about responsibility?'" Feldstein said. "He wanted me to think of something that could be said that would offset the media storm surrounding the question of whether the prime minister had taken responsibility or not."

He added that Netanyahu looked "panicked" when he made the request. Feldstein said he was later told by people in Netanyahu's close circle to omit the word "responsibility" from all statements.

Thanks to the erudite and calm-headed Mossad Director David Barnea, several prisoner swaps were conducted in Nov and Dec 2023 before Netanyahu initiated the Nakba to collectively punish the Palestinians and make way for a Greater Israel by ethnically cleansing Gaza and the West Bank.

The "Crime Minister" is still on trial for corruption charges, even though he recently begged Israel President Isaac Herzog for a pardon. An international arrest warrant issued by the ICC for crimes against humanity remains active for Benjamin Netanyahu and the Istanbul Public Prosecutor issued arrest warrants for him and 32 other Israelis accused of committing war crimes. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law or an international tribunal at the Hague.