Netanyahu's Office Operates Like a Criminal Organization, Claims Israeli Journalist
Translated & summarized from Cursorinfo by baba
Israeli journalist Ben Caspit claims Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's inner circle operates like a criminal organization, prioritizing loyalty, deception, and intimidation over law. He likens their methods to the Gambino crime family, citing evidence of evidence tampering, witness intimidation, and a toxic decision-making environment. Caspit alleges this behavior has been ongoing for years and has detrimental effects on Israeli society and its institutions. Recent revelations, including leaked communications and testimonies, have further solidified his assessment of the situation.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Journalist Ben Caspit alleges Prime Minister Netanyahu's office functions like a criminal organization.
- Caspit compares Netanyahu's inner circle to the Gambino crime family, citing loyalty, deception, and intimidation.
- Recent revelations include leaked communications from Yonatan Urikh and testimony from Avi Gil and Ronen Bar.
- The journalist claims Netanyahu is influenced by his wife Sara and son, leading to decisions based on personal gain.
- Caspit believes Netanyahu's leadership style undermines institutions like the Supreme Court and security agencies.
- A 2018 police experiment reportedly concluded Netanyahu's circle operated like an organized crime group.
Journalist Ben Caspit alleges that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's inner circle operates with the methods of a criminal syndicate, characterized by blind loyalty, deception, intimidation, and evidence destruction. Caspit, writing for Maariv, asserts that recent revelations confirm his long-held warnings from the 1990s about a toxic and chaotic environment within the Prime Minister's office, which he describes as criminal. While acknowledging that the methods used to obtain some information, like publishing WhatsApp messages from Yonatan Urikh, might be legally questionable, Caspit argues the content reveals the inner workings of the system.
Caspit suggests that Netanyahu is heavily influenced by his wife, Sara, and later by his son, leading to decision-making processes devoid of clear rules and prioritizing personal gain. He states that lying has become the norm, with personal loyalty being the primary requirement for those working closely with the Prime Minister. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett had previously described this environment as a "bubble of madness."
New publications, including Urikh's correspondence, testimony from Military Secretary Avi Gil, and details from a lawsuit by former Shin Bet head Ronen Bar, paint a consistent picture for Caspit. He emphasizes that these revelations extend beyond potentially prohibited message sharing to other materials exposing the office's operational methods, stating the scale of the situation is even more alarming than he, a long-time critic, anticipated.
Caspit claims Netanyahu disregards dissenters, humiliates individuals, undermines decision-making, and weakens oversight institutions like the Supreme Court, IDF chiefs of staff, and security agency heads. He believes his past warnings have materialized, with consequences affecting Israeli society. Caspit directly compares Netanyahu's entourage to a criminal family, citing a subculture of gathering compromising material, threats, evidence destruction, and disregard for laws, now extending to alleged intimidation of the legal system.
The journalist draws a parallel to the Gambino crime family, recalling his time covering the FBI's investigation into the organization led by John Gotti. Caspit notes Netanyahu's appearance in court during the testimony of former legal advisor Avichai Mandelblit, likening it to the presence of mob figures at trials, intended to exert psychological pressure. He also points to Netanyahu's supporters attending court sessions as a tactic to intimidate witnesses or judges and demonstrate loyalty for political advantage.
Caspit also criticizes Minister Gideon Saar for perceived cynicism and opportunism, noting Saar's shift from opposing Netanyahu's circle and supporting an "accused" law to becoming a staunch supporter. He contrasts Saar's current actions with his past statements, suggesting little of his former principles remain.
An incident from mid-2018 is recounted, where a police experiment led by then-Inspector General Roni Alsheikh reportedly concluded that Netanyahu's circle functioned like an organized crime group, examining hierarchy, information isolation, and leader detachment. Caspit cites the disappearance of the Elovich family's phones, data deletion from Urikh's phone, and the alleged memory lapses of key figures as further evidence. He also mentions alleged falsification of documents submitted to the state comptroller and the transformation of former associates into state witnesses.
Caspit revisits a 1993 incident where Netanyahu accused David Levy of surrounding himself with "criminals." He suggests Yaakov Bardugo, linked to that situation, never truly left the circle. Caspit dismisses Netanyahu's past accusations against Levy as unfounded and recalls Levy's speech on racism within Netanyahu's circle. He interprets Bardugo's recent call for a public debate with Gadi Eisenkot, framed as a personal challenge, as a subtle reference to Eisenkot's Moroccan heritage and a tactic reminiscent of criminal organizations sacrificing members for the leader. Caspit speculates this dynamic explains the reduced visibility of figures like Dudi Amsalem, Shlomo Karai, and Miri Regev in Netanyahu's campaign.
In conclusion, Caspit reiterates his main point: the recent revelations reinforce his conviction that Netanyahu's office prioritizes personal loyalty over law, employing intimidation and information concealment as political tools.
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