Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has the knack for survival. The longest service leader in the country – he has been in power for 18 years over three non-continued periods, but seeing many rivals he has lasted longer than his several enemies.
The latest fight comes with Lonen Baa, head of Singh Bett, head of Israel’s national intelligence agency.
Netanyahu fired Barr last month for what he called the trust breakdown, but the Supreme Court suspended the termination awaiting an investigation.
In the meantime, there have been protests against Netanyahu – the Prime Minister is used to them – and now, in an affidavit filed at the bar on Monday, he makes some accusations against Israeli leaders.
They include a request from Netanyahu that if the two clash, he will place his loyalty above that of the Supreme Court decision and that he will spy on Netanyahu’s enemy. It all comes when Singh Bet investigates the financial ties between Netanyahu’s office and Qatar.
Scandals after the scandal
Netanyahu denied Barr’s claims and called his affidavit a “false” claim “will soon disprove it in detail.”
Continuing in Netanyahu’s playbook when he is facing opposition – denial of accusations against him, changing responsibility, and pushing the matter into the future, if possible.
The legal case Netanyahu faces – he is on trial for corruption – is a great example. The Prime Minister has been able to elicit the court process for many years, and has recently used Israeli war with Gaza to delay court appearances.
“The Israeli masses are scumming with scandal,” Israeli political analyst Nimrod Flashenberg told Al Jazeera.
Flaschenberg added that the increase in the Israeli Society’s polarization means another scandal will remain little different to where people stand in the divisive Netanyahu.
“People who oppose Netanyahu and oppose the government see this as another evidence of corruption, worsening democratic space and the end of Israeli democracy,” he said. “And the people at Pro Netanyahu camp see this as a bar that is trying to create a coup against Netanyahu and his right-wing government.”
This polarization is supported by the fact that Israel’s political opposition is being destroyed. Opposition figures Benny Gantz, who was once a challenger to the throne, has been criticized for failing to take a strong stance on complex issues, and there is growing support for him replacing him as head of the National Unity Political Alliance.
“Many Israelis think [the current situation is] It’s an emergency, but they don’t really have the tools to change it. There is no strong opposition in Congress that can do anything about it,” said Myrav Sonsein, senior Israel analyst with International Crisis Group.
Strong alliance
The war in Gaza itself is proof of Netanyahu’s survival skills. On October 7, 2023, despite being criticised by many Israelis for failing to prevent an attack on Israel, Netanyahu is in power, despite being the deadliest in the country’s history, unable to release the remaining prisoners of war held in Gaza or defeat Hamas completely.
Despite the increasing popularity of war in Israel, where 100,000 reserves have not responded to their calls, according to the Israeli-Palestine+972 magazine.
Still, Netanyahu is undoubtedly in a stronger position politically than he began the war, expanding the Israeli occupation territory in Lebanon and Syria.
Netanyahu’s governing coalition may have lost some figures, including former defense minister Joa Garant, but it has become more solidified with further changes to the right.
“His coalition is very solid and unharmed,” Sonsein said. “Through half of last year, he only made the Union even more stable.”
Netanyahu is increasingly leaning towards ultra-orthodox and far-right parties, such as those led by two of his government’s most far-right ministers, Itamar Ben Gwyr and Bezalel Smotrich. Analysts said the shift has disrupted many Israelis, but there seems to be little chance of change at this point.
“It takes a very fundamental step to actually remove Netanyahu from power,” Sonsein said.
“It’s like a shattering situation where more allegations and evidence are revealed, it’s getting worse,” Zonsein said, speaking of the scandal Netanyahu is facing. “But that doesn’t mean changing anything on earth.”
A little hope
Just as Netanyahu was in power, a kind of lethargy may have begun to set some quarters of Israeli society.
His coalition has enough seats to continue to have enough seats in Congress, and its members have their own reasons to ensure it does not dissolve.
This means that elections are the only way Netanyahu is likely to be removed from power. The next one does not need to occur until October 27th, 2026.
In theory, the Attorney General could determine that Netanyahu was not worthy of service, but analysts said it proved controversial and unlikely to happen. If it fails, the only way Netanyahu will be removed from power is through elections.
This month’s poll from Israel’s Channel 12 showed that the new party of former right-wing prime minister Naphtari Bennett would win a majority if today’s election was held. But that alone is not enough to quell the concerns of some people in Israel.
“Some Israelis are concerned that there will be no free and fair elections next year,” Sonsein said.
Flaschenberg said police feared Netanyahu and his allies could restrain the vote.
However, there are some possible moves for the Israeli masses to play. Flaschenberg said the public strikes have been effective in the past. In mid-2023, a public strike prevented Netanyahu from firing Gallant, but another attempt at the strike in late 2024 failed due to a lack of clear demand.
And the rage that attempted to fire a bar is unlikely to change things. Many factors need to be realized in order for there to be pressure on Netanyahu to appear in anything concrete.
“As we see the waves of denial and the waves of military protests against the war intensifies, this may shake things up and change courses,” Fraschenberg said.
“So I’m not totally hopeless about what will develop in the next few months,” he said.[But] I am relatively hopeless. ”
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