Israeli writer and political analyst Ben Caspit has launched a sharp critique of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of prioritizing his ruling coalition and political survival over what he considers Israel's public interest. Caspit warns that this approach could lead to what he describes as 'political disappearance'.
In an article published by the news site 'Walla', Caspit argues that Netanyahu is aware that maintaining the cohesion of his right-wing and religious coalition contradicts the needs of the state. Yet, according to Caspit, he continues to make decisions aimed at securing his stay in power, even at the expense of the military institution and public trust.
The writer's criticism focuses on Netanyahu's handling of the law exempting ultra-Orthodox Jews (Haredim) from military service. Caspit states that the Prime Minister avoided participating in the vote despite attending the Knesset, describing it as an attempt to evade political responsibility while remaining a primary supporter of passing the law.
Caspit claims that Netanyahu deliberately distanced himself from the voting session after ensuring the necessary votes, comparing his action to the 'invisibility cloak' in the Harry Potter series. He considers this reflects political calculations aimed at avoiding future criticisms.
Furthermore, Caspit describes the Prime Minister, not as ‘the Prime Minister of Israel,’ but as ‘the Prime Minister of the Bloc,’ focusing on safeguarding his political allies, even if it deepens internal division and undermines the principle of equal military service.
Additionally, the writer criticizes Shas Party leader Aryeh Deri, accusing him of attacking Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir over his stance on the recruitment crisis, suggesting these attacks target the military establishment at a time when it faces significant security challenges.
Caspit also accuses individuals close to Netanyahu and his supporting media of leading campaigns to damage the image of former Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot, who is considered a notable potential rival to Netanyahu. He claims these accusations lack evidence and are part of internal political rivalries.
In his article's conclusion, Caspit criticizes the performance of the new head of the internal security service, David Zini, claiming that he has lost his independence since taking office. Caspit concludes that Netanyahu's continued management of issues based on political survival considerations and the passage of divisive laws represents, in his opinion, a path that could lead to a decline in his political standing in the future.
This article reflects the perspective of writer Ben Caspit and his analysis of the political situation in Israel, and does not necessarily represent verified facts or an official stance.