Israel Has a Rogue Leader, Not a Deep State

The term “deep state” has become as dangerous in its abuse as the genuine article ever was. Deep states are extremely rare, and where the claim is made we need to remind people ad nauseam of its true meaning.

This bogeyman was most recently invoked by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his aides, as they try to fire the head of Shin Bet, the domestic intelligence service. Nobody’s saying they can’t, only that the government must follow a process aimed at ensuring such sensitive decisions aren’t made for illegitimate reasons.

Deep states have existed and are pernicious. But nowadays they’re being conjured to excuse leaders who, either to expand their own powers or suppress court cases — or both — want to seize control of the only institutions that can constrain them.

Announcing his decision to fire Ronen Bar on Sunday, Netanyahu said only that he had lost trust in the Shin Bet chief. Bar, who long ago said he planned to resign after the war in Gaza and certain related investigations were over, has objected. Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara says the government needs to follow established Israeli law, which requires showing a legitimate factual and legal basis for the move.

Netanyahu and his backers are screaming: Deep state coup! His justice minister wants a vote of no-confidence in the attorney general. The prime minster is insisting he must have the freedom to act at a time when Israel is fighting “a war on seven fronts.” By coincidence, or more likely not given that no war is actually being fought right now, he ordered air strikes on Gaza Tuesday, shattering the ceasefire.

In a world drowning in disinformation, this is how our democracies and rights will be lost, amid cries of “deep state” and the misdirection of unscrupulous elected leaders. What’s going on in Israel should not be hard to understand.