Netanyahu's well-oiled war machine
Opinion: Undermining the legitimacy of the justice system, trampling on the pillars of democracy, in this election race the prime minister takes no prisoners. Only a joint political campaign starring Lapid, Gantz and Ashkenazi could eat away at Netanyahu's electoral advantage.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's strategy is clear. Assuming his legal battles are lost, he is focusing his energy on battling the court of public opinion. And in this battle, the prime minister takes no prisoners.
Anyone seeing what Netanyahu did to outgoing Police Commissioner Roni Alsheikh couldn’t imagine this could happen again. But the well-oiled machine has struck once again, and now the prime minister is rolling up his sleeves to take on Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit.
Of course, fast on the draw is the band of twittering hawks with their conspiracy theories. To them, Netanyahu's investigations are a setup, Effi Naveh's case is a setup, and basically each and every police probe is a ploy designed to deceive government officials. In this political campaign, Netanyahu is fighting on all fronts—the media, the attorney general, and soon, the courts. This is war.
Mandelblit made a mistake when he decided to sit down for an interview with Channel 12 News. There's no room for hesitation when dealing with Netanyahu and his ilk. Mandelblit would be better off staying in his office, pacing back and forth until a decision is made.
Netanyahu kept pressing until, unsurprisingly, Mandelblit blinked first, and tried to meet the prime minister's needs. In short, Netanyahu managed to drag him to his battlefield, the public court—where our prime minister shines brightest.
If Alsheikh jumped into the field willingly when giving that unnecessary interview to primetime investigative TV show Fact, then Mandelblit was dragged there out of a desire to defend the institution he heads. Led and misled by Netanyahu, the attorney general was fighting a losing battle.
The next couple of months are going to be tough. Netanyahu's strategy is clear and has been made public more than once. Anti-media campaign banners bearing the caption "They will not decide" pop up like clockwork. The campaign is working on all fronts—the media, the attorney general, and soon, the courts. This is war.
Facing this well-oiled machine stands a shattered opposition camp, whose members are busy clinging to whatever power they can muster. It is unclear what would remain of this camp if and when it ever took the reins of government again. Netanyahu is busy trampling on all principles of democracy, while Yair Lapid and Benny Gantz— who can't seem to agree on a plan in which they run together— look on in dismay.
If they do ever agree to join forces, they would probably be joined by another former army chief, Gabi Ashkenazi. He is the only one who could actually put his ego aside and deal with the actual realm rather than just the throne).
Only a joint political campaign could eat away at Netanyahu's great advantage - the security card. Only a joint campaign could offer a real political race, in which the choice is purely one between two alternatives. God only knows how Gantz and Lapid can't seem to understand the heavy burden of responsibility. How can each man dare to think that he alone could lead?
Lapid brings with him a well-organized party with years of experience; Gantz brings along his own security credentials, the most prized procession of all Israeli politicians; and Ashkenazi, being both an army man and (ironically) Sephardi, could easily win over voters from the right.
So, in a nutshell, on one hand we have a propaganda machine that undermines the legitimacy of law enforcement agencies, and on the other, entirely two self-involved individuals. A tough choice indeed, that does not bode well for the foundations of our government.
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