Corruption and Authoritarianism: Will They Awaken the Israeli Street Against Netanyahu and Revive the Deal?

Watan-As the aggression on Gaza persists, internal debates in Israel are escalating—not only over who governs the country but also over its identity and nature. According to Israeli observers, Israel is shifting towards a system that appears procedurally democratic but is fundamentally authoritarian and oppressive, resembling regimes in Eastern Europe. Some analysts warn that the country is becoming a “king without a kingdom.”

At the same time, Israeli society is showing signs of awakening. However, it remains unclear whether these signals will grow strong enough to curb Netanyahu, who is once again accusing the “deep state” of stealing power from him.

Netanyahu Moves to Dismiss Shin Bet Chief Amid Legal Warnings

The Israeli government, led by Netanyahu, is convening tonight to discuss one issue: approving the dismissal of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar within a month, citing a loss of confidence and his failure to comply with political directives. However, Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has warned that such a dismissal would be illegal, as it bypasses the necessary legal process requiring a recommendation from an advisory committee overseeing senior appointments.

Despite this, the government argues that the dismissal does not require such procedures, citing its urgency and impact.

The attorney general herself is also at risk of being dismissed next Sunday, under the pretext of consistently opposing the government on all matters and acting out of political motivations.

Eliminating the “Gatekeepers”

Netanyahu, an experienced political leader currently serving his sixth term as prime minister since first assuming office in 1996, appears to be exploiting Israeli society’s fatigue and despair following widespread protests and an extended, costly war. His goal is to complete the “judicial coup” he initiated in 2023.

Furthermore, the potential return of Donald Trump to the White House, and his tendency to act as an unchecked ruler domestically and internationally, seems to have emboldened Netanyahu. He is working to remove the country’s “gatekeepers,” allowing him to run Israel like a personal estate without watchdogs to bark warnings. He is taking advantage of the weakness and divisions within the opposition, led by Yair Lapid.

As a result, Israel appears to be a vehicle without brakes, ruled by an Israeli version of “Louis XIV.” If Netanyahu succeeds in these changes, he may soon be able to declare, “I am the state, and the state is me.”

Meanwhile, incitement against the “Zionist left” and the “deep state” continues, with both being accused of stealing power from elected politicians in favor of bureaucrats. Netanyahu reiterated these claims in a video statement last night.

Corruption at the Top

According to Israel’s public radio, Netanyahu is recycling his accusations against the “deep state” and state institutions, yet remains silent on the corruption scandal engulfing his own office.

This scandal involves three of Netanyahu’s close advisors allegedly receiving funds from Qatar through a media consultant linked to the Doha government. An Israeli businessman has admitted to transferring cash payments to them, leading to the overnight arrests of two of the implicated individuals.

The scandal has sparked questions about Netanyahu’s role in allowing Qatar to funnel large sums of money into Gaza—funds that ultimately strengthened Hamas’ military capabilities.

In this context, former Israeli police commissioner Roni Alsheikh expressed shock over the unfolding scandal. In an interview with Israeli army radio, he questioned how things had deteriorated to this extent and what role Netanyahu played in his advisors receiving funds, especially given that he knew about Qatar’s financial support for Hamas. Alsheikh argued that the case reinforces the need for a formal investigative committee to examine all aspects of the war and its lead-up.

He and other analysts warn that corruption poses a greater existential threat to Israel than its external enemies, as history has shown that empires often collapse due to internal decay rather than external attacks.

Israel on the Path of Hungary and Poland

Amid these significant shifts, growing authoritarianism, and deepening corruption, many in Israel are warning that its democratic system is being hollowed out. They argue that the country is moving toward a procedural democracy where the ruling majority tramples all opposition—much like what has happened in Eastern European countries such as Poland and Hungary.

In this regard, Professor Mordechai Kremnitzer, head of the Israel Democracy Institute, warned in an article in Haaretz that “democracy does not die by the sword, but gradually.”

This sentiment was echoed in the newspaper’s editorial, which accused Netanyahu and Justice Minister Yariv Levin of continuing their coup against Israel’s system of governance. The editorial called on Israelis to resist these changes before it is too late.

Despite the increasing authoritarianism and corruption, Israeli public resistance remains slow. Political commentator Uri Misgav, writing in Haaretz, criticized the failure of Israel’s democratic institutions to protect themselves between 2022 and 2025. He asked, “Where were you when Netanyahu assassinated democracy?”

Betrayal of Journalism

Meanwhile, journalist Gideon Levy accused the Hebrew-language press of betraying its profession and ethical responsibilities. He argued that history will remember how most Israeli media outlets became complicit in Israel’s crimes in Gaza by suppressing the truth and preventing the public from seeing the massacre in which 400 people, including 176 children, were killed within ten minutes.

Palestinian journalist Hanin Majadleh, writing in Haaretz, satirically highlighted the contradiction between Israel’s internal struggle for democracy and its simultaneous perpetration of massacres in Gaza.

Betting on Israelis or Arab Mediation?

As Israel experiences these unprecedented political upheavals, questions arise about whether its citizens will take action to protect their political system and whether protests will grow enough to halt the war and enforce agreements that Netanyahu has violated. The coming days, leading up to Sunday, may provide some answers.

However, relying on the Israeli public remains a risky gamble—especially as Netanyahu appears determined to commit further crimes. A potentially more effective approach might be to place greater hope in mediator states and Arab countries with ties to Israel. Netanyahu’s violations of agreements also amount to a direct challenge to the Arab and Muslim world.

The “Israeli Churchill”

Netanyahu today is more dangerous than ever, driven by an inflated ego, an obsession with his historical legacy, and a growing sense of paranoia. His supporters see him as Israel’s version of Winston Churchill, but he resembles a wounded tiger, refusing to accept the disastrous outcomes of the war.

With backing from the United States and a largely silent Arab and international community, Netanyahu is attempting to crush Hamas and the Palestinian resistance through sheer force. However, some analysts, such as Dr. Michael Milshtein, a lecturer on Palestinian affairs at Tel Aviv University, argue that Israel fundamentally misunderstands the ideological resilience of Hamas.

Despite Netanyahu’s attempts to dictate the future, it remains uncertain whether his political maneuvering and suppression of democratic institutions will succeed—or whether he will ultimately face a reckoning from within Israel itself.