Netanyahu's Campaign Allegedly Aided by State Institutions

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's election campaign is reportedly receiving assistance, wittingly or unwittingly, from official Israeli state institutions, including the President's office, the judiciary, the Shin Bet, the Mossad, the IDF, and the police. The article suggests these bodies are acting in service of Netanyahu's interests, whether intentionally or by chance.

President Isaac Herzog's recent statements are cited as bolstering the suspicion that he is working for Netanyahu. Herzog's reluctance to explicitly call for a "state commission of inquiry" into the October 7th massacre, instead suggesting an "independent investigation," is seen as problematic. The author argues that only a state commission, not one appointed by Netanyahu or the Knesset, can be truly independent. Netanyahu is accused of seeking to thwart such a commission due to fears of an independent investigation, even at the cost of undermining the legitimacy of the President and the Supreme Court. Herzog is criticized for normalizing Netanyahu's efforts to undermine the commission, the President, and the Supreme Court, despite understanding that no other viable investigative mechanism exists.

In Netanyahu's corruption trial, the defense attorney is attempting to prove that investigative actions against the Prime Minister were conducted illegally. A key objective is to promote the narrative of "political persecution" or "case-building." The article questions why the court is allowing extensive examination of the former Attorney General, Avichai Mandelblit, suggesting the questioning should have been limited. The extended timeline, extending into the election period, is seen as beneficial for Netanyahu's campaign to promote the narrative of a conspiracy against him.

The Shin Bet and Mossad are criticized for their silence regarding allegations that a senior official in Netanyahu's office worked for Qatar, a funder of Hamas. Investigative reports suggest the services provided were more extensive than claimed and occurred even while Netanyahu was in opposition. The article notes that the mere fact of working for Qatar should disqualify the individual from proximity to the Prime Minister's office, especially given recent negligence in losing mobile device contents. The security agencies' delayed response is also noted in relation to formulating an indictment, specifically on whether the activities endangered national security or constituted a minor breach of trust.

The IDF and police are accused of leniency towards draft dodgers and settlers involved in violence against Palestinian farmers and shepherds. Two of three criminal enforcement measures against draft dodgers are reportedly frozen, with few arrests made in recent months. A procedure for detaining draft dodgers for military police has also been diluted. The military's explanation for these delays is an increased focus on border crossings, which are seen as less likely to provoke public confrontation than street-level clashes with the Haredi community. The article also points to the arrest of a 77-year-old Brigadier General, Yoel Feldshu, whose walking cane was labeled an assault weapon, contrasting this with the perceived leniency shown to draft dodgers and violent settlers.