Netanyahu's Ex-Advisor Details His 'Poison Machine' and Personal Weaknesses

Ruti Bar, a former strategic advisor to Benjamin Netanyahu, has revealed insights into his political strategies and personal shortcomings, as reported by Ben Caspit in Maariv. Bar, who studied Netanyahu's political behavior for years, claims his success is built on a "poison machine" that manipulates public opinion by amplifying negative emotions and attacking opponents' moral standing. She traces this strategy back over 30 years to Netanyahu's own words about seeking someone to formulate "destructive verbal attacks" against rivals.

Bar asserts that Netanyahu possesses an extreme sense of superiority, viewing almost everyone, including foreign leaders, as "dwarfs." This perceived superiority, she argues, fuels his belief in his ability to control others, which he achieves through dominant media presence. Netanyahu, according to Bar, understood the power of media early on, recognizing that controlling information meant controlling people. She cites his 1993 public confession of an affair as a strategic move to control a narrative, even if it seemed impulsive.

Her analysis centers on four emotional perception levels: "impression" and "relationships." Netanyahu excels at creating an "impression" of a strong, successful leader but is profoundly weak in "relationships," lacking trust, care, and empathy. Bar believes this relational deficit explains his public confession and continues to be a significant vulnerability. She notes that security and defense issues, once Netanyahu's strong suit, have been damaged by recent events, while issues like ultra-Orthodox conscription highlight his weakness in the "relationships" domain.

Bar also discusses "jumping voters," a segment of the electorate that can shift allegiances late in campaigns. She suggests Netanyahu appeals to these voters through fear-based messaging, such as the "Arab enemy" narrative used in past elections. For opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot, Bar advises focusing on "relationship" issues like ultra-Orthodox conscription, framing security concerns as secondary to caring for people, to counter Netanyahu's "impression"-based strengths.