Netanyahu's Former Strategist Breaks 33-Year Silence on Affair, Political Tactics

Dr. Ruth Bar, who was famously involved in a 1993 affair with Benjamin Netanyahu during his campaign for Likud leadership, has broken her decades-long silence in a rare interview. At the time, Netanyahu publicly confessed to the affair on live television, preempting a threatened release of a compromising tape, which Bar claims never existed. Netanyahu accused senior Likud politician David Levy and his associates of attempting to blackmail him.

Bar, a psychologist and strategic consultant, worked with Netanyahu for over three years, analyzing his public appearances and advising on campaign strategies. She describes Netanyahu as possessing an "extreme, almost frightening" sense of superiority and a belief that he was above everyone else, referring to others as "officials." She also details how she helped shape his political image, including strategies to enhance his charisma and project strength, which she believes laid the groundwork for what is now known as the "poison machine" in Israeli politics.

She explains that Netanyahu's core strength lies in the "registration" layer of decision-making, related to image and perceived greatness, while his weakness is in the "relationships" layer, encompassing credibility, empathy, and personal connection. Bar suggests that Netanyahu's strategy has always been to control the narrative and media, understanding its power to influence public perception. She also discusses the profound personal tragedies she has endured, including the deaths of two of her children, and how she and her husband have coped.

Bar's insights are particularly significant given her intimate involvement in shaping Netanyahu's early political persona. She believes that his current approach to politics, including his focus on media control and divisive tactics, stems from strategies developed over 30 years ago. She expresses deep concern for the future of Israeli democracy under his leadership, citing his perceived lack of belief in justice and his focus on self-preservation.