If the rule of law and national interest were truly Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's priorities, the embarrassment of arrest warrants issued by the Hague tribunal against him and former Defense Minister Gallant could have been avoided. The prime minister could have prevented Israel from finding itself on the same level as countries like Russia and Sudan. But our interests apparently don't concern him.
Netanyahu could have acted differently across multiple fronts. But instead of focusing on life itself – working tirelessly to draft the ultra-Orthodox, addressing the cost of living crisis, returning evacuees to their homes, securing the release of 101 hostages – Netanyahu is fixated on the arrest of former aide Eli Feldstein and worried about potential damage to himself.
He should spend his nights before falling asleep thinking about the 804 soldiers who have fallen since the catastrophe that befell us. He's right about one thing – the public isn't foolish. The people, including his right-wing voters, believe this war continues for his personal needs rather than national interests. Perhaps, as poet Haim Gouri wrote, all the fallen – from October 7 until today, soldiers and civilians – stand before him in an endless line, saying: "Here lie our bodies. Enough."
When the prime minister pounded his fist on the Knesset lectern and dramatically declared that young lives were being destroyed, I thought he was finally addressing the dozens of hostages' parents present in the chamber. I thought he might announce his full backing for the negotiating team without restricting their mandate, understanding that after more than a year in Hamas dungeons, it was time for bold diplomatic action. But when he added, "The people aren't stupid," it became clear he was referring to Feldstein, whose existence his office staff had denied and who became their darling only out of fear he might turn against them. Those protesting don't address the actual offense and the serious indictment filed against him. For them, what matters most is what Netanyahu's advisor Jonatan Urich told Feldstein: "The boss is pleased." And if the boss is happy – they can stop bothering with facts and proceed with attacking the prosecution.
On Friday, in a highly unusual move, the State Attorney's Office issued a statement responding to allegations made against them in this case. This time, the prosecution decided not to simply wipe the mud from their faces but to remove their gloves and respond to claims fueled by lies, amplified by the propaganda machine, and directed at the prosecutors, the attorney general, and the head of the Shin Bet. One by one, they dismantled all allegations that Feldstein had been treated differently from other cases due to his proximity to the prime minister.
The Likud and prime minister's response to the prosecution's statement was hysterical and revealed only one thing – they are afraid. When a prime minister attacks the rule of law instead of defending it – calling Feldstein "an Israeli patriot, ardent Zionist who would never harm the state" – he is effectively saying Feldstein did nothing wrong. In doing so, he also incites the right wing against prosecution officials by claiming they're trying to harm everyone who voted for him. It's a dangerous path that Netanyahu keeps stumbling down.
