The Greatest Politician of His Generation is Also the Most Destructive Leader in the History of Modern Israel
- Gary Cohen
- Mar 27
- 13 min read
Updated: Jun 6
He Has Torn the Country Apart and is now Ripping it to Shreds.
The Master
Love him or hate him, Benjamin Netanyahu is the greatest politician of his generation bar none. No one comes close, not Obama, nor Putin, Merkel, Blair, whoever you care to mention. None of them has had to deal with the immense challenges that come with the position of Israel’s Prime Minister, probably the most difficult and exacting political leadership position in the world.
So, kudos to the master manipulator, the genius of political survival. He is Israel’s longest serving prime minister, now serving his third term. He has outlasted, outwitted, and outmanoeuvred every opponent who dared to challenge his grip on power. For nearly thirty years he has dominated Israeli politics and had a major impact on the world stage.
Now, being a master politician is all well and good, but here’s the rub… Benjamin Netanyahu is undoubtedly the most divisive, destructive, and damaging leader Israel has ever had.
The Calamity
Despite casting himself as “Mr Security”, Bibi presided over the greatest disaster the country has ever endured. The surprise attack and mass slaughter perpetrated by Hamas on October 7th, 2023, represents the worst security failure in the history of the modern state, and the largest and most savage slaughter of Jews since the Holocaust. With over 1,200 brutally murdered and thousands injured, and hundreds kidnapped, when taken as a percentage of the population of the country, it is also the largest terror attack in history, anywhere. The October 7th massacre was not just a failure of intelligence and military preparedness, it was a catastrophic failure of leadership, yet the leader, the man at the top, “Mr Security” is in denial, and refuses to take responsibility.
Personal & Political Survival Over National Interest
Ever since that terrible day, Netanyahu’s primary concern and focus has been himself, his political survival, his legal troubles, and maintaining his coalition, no matter the cost, not to him, but to the country. And the cost is high indeed, for the victims, the hostages, for their grieving and anxious families, for the country. Tens of thousands of displaced Israelis from the north and the south feel abandoned and ignored by a government that to all intents and purposes, doesn’t seem to care.
Then, there are the amazing, brave soldiers who are fighting the longest and most complex war Israel has ever fought. The regular army has had to perform at an intensity and for a duration of combat, never seen before. They are exhausted. So too reservists who answered the call to defend their country, men and women with families, businesses, careers, studies and more, across the full spectrum of Israeli society. They willingly put their lives on hold to fight for and defend their country. So too, multiple volunteer organisations and individuals stepped up to fill the void, as Netanyahu and his government ministers hid in shame, all too aware of the terrible disaster they had wrought upon their fellow Israelis.
While Israelis continue to bury their dead and tend to their wounded, while desperate families plead for their kidnapped loved ones, Netanyahu’s focus has been focused on evading accountability at all costs, and on placating the extremists who hold him and his government hostage.
Never has Israel been in greater need of strong and effective leadership. Sadly, Netanyahu has failed on all counts. Instead of leadership, Israel has been on the receiving end of narcissism on steroids, a wholesale lack of integrity, moral bankruptcy, incompetence, disinterest, and downright negligence.
After the abject failures of October 7th, the military and security services managed to pick themselves up and get on with the job. There have been major military and intelligence successes, that to all intents and purposes, have been squandered by the politicians, but for which Netanyahu has been only too happy to step forward and to take credit.
The truth however is those responsible for these successes are the leaders, officers and soldiers of the IDF and the security services. Both the Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and Head of the Internal Security Service (Shin Bet) Ronen Bar, took personal responsibility for the failures of October 7th, (something Netanyahu stubbornly refuses to do), and announced that as a result of these failures, they would resign their positions, when the time was right, but that they needed to focus on the war at hand, defeating Hamas and rescuing the hostages. All in all, since the debacle of October 7th, they and their organisations have performed well.
Undermining the Pillars of Israeli Democracy
As he desperately seeks to avoid accountability, what we are witnessing is not just political survivalism, but a calculated campaign to dismantle the democratic pillars of the Israeli state in order to do so. Since returning to power in January 2023, Netanyahu and his coalition have worked relentlessly to undermine the judiciary, the police, the attorney general, and the free press. And since October 7th, even the previously untouchable institutions of the IDF and the security services are under attack.
The Chief of Staff has resigned. Netanyahu fired the head of the Shin Bet. Many believe this is not so much about October the 7th, or Ronen Bar’s performance since, but far more to do with the Qatargate investigation. This termination will be challenged in the courts for two reasons. Firstly, in regard to due process, Netanyahu failed to heed the advice of the attorney general, that such a move must be referred to the Senior Appointments Advisory Committee. Then, there is the serious conflict of interests where Netanyahu is essentially firing the man in charge of investigating Netanyahu's office, and his advisors in regard to Qatargate.
In true “terminator mode”, the government is actively trying to fire attorney general, Gali Baharav-Miara. I say the government, as Netanyahu is officially barred from being involved, due to yet another conflict of interests, this time regarding his own criminal trial. Of course he wouldn't dare flout the law and involve himself. But our esteemed prime minister, has his enforcers and is only too happy to put them to work.
At the same time his attack dog, justice minister, Yariv Levin is pushing legislation that will give politicians control over the appointment of judges. Bottom line, this is not judicial reform. This is a hostile takeover of Israel's legal system, and its democracy, aimed at neutralising all checks and balances, ridding the government of the “nuisance” of oversight, and the need to adhere to the law of the land.
Selling His Soul and That of the Country
In a desperate bid to cling to power, Netanyahu did something that even his fiercest critics thought unthinkable. He sold his soul and that of the country to the ultra-right, extremist factions of Israeli politics, whose ideology was outlawed by a Likud government in 1994. Thus, he has legitimised and welcomed a bunch of radicals and racists into the corridors of power and handed them the keys to the castle.
These fanatics control some of the most powerful and influential ministries in government. Netanyahu cannot make a single move without their approval. They have him by the balls, and a tight grip at that.
And so, Israel is stuck, or should I say “fucked”. Netanyahu cannot negotiate the return of all the hostages, and an end to the war. Doing so would require painful compromises that his extremist “allies” reject outright. Smotrich and Ben Gvir would simply bring down his government. The extremists want the war to continue, even escalate, and they are determined to resettle Gaza.
Netanyahu is paralyzed, not by strategic necessity, but by his personal agenda, pure self-interest and political cowardice. Rather than pursue an American initiated deal to return all hostages that he signed up to, even claimed as his own, he has now resumed the war. To what end you might ask. The prime minister and his lap dog, defence minister, claim it is to pressure Hamas into releasing the hostages. Something, the last seventeen months of intense military action has so far failed to do.
Money Talks
In reality, it is to placate Smotrich and successfully return Ben Gvir and his extremists to the coalition, just in time to pass a criminally loaded budget, without which the government would fall. Coincidence? You decide. Again, Netanyahu chooses political survival over the welfare of the people, in particular, the remaining hostages languishing in Hamas dungeons, and their families.
While the country bleeds, Netanyahu’s coalition is passing a budget based upon extortion and theft. It showers billions on anti-Zionist religious factions, and extremist agendas, while adding hundreds of millions to superfluous ministries that exist only as a tool to maintain his coalition.
In order to pay this extortion money, the government is making significant cuts in key services, such as health, education, social welfare and even defence. The budget is a slap in the face to those most in need, ignoring the victims of October 7th, the soldiers and reservists fighting the war, the evacuated communities, and their families.
While the country struggles with the longest war in its history, along with social, societal and financial meltdown, such are the priorities of “Ali Bibi and his 34 Thieves”.
A Dictator Wannabe - Undermining Israel’s Pillars of Democracy
A strong leader builds institutions and strengthens the pillars of democracy. A weak leader dismantles them.
The Judiciary
In 2012 Netanyahu gave a speech at the Changing of the Supreme Court Chief Justices Ceremony. In it he stated…
I ask you to show me one dictatorship, one non-democratic society where there is a strong and independent justice system. There is no such thing. Wherever there is not a strong and independent justice system, rights cannot be defended. In fact, the difference between countries in which there are rights on paper and countries in which there are rights in fact is a strong and independent justice system. This is the reason why I have done and will continue to do everything in my power to safeguard a strong and independent justice system.
Oh, how times have changed!
When it comes to the courts, Netanyahu has his army of sycophants attack the Supreme Court at every opportunity. We are approaching a potential constitutional crisis, where Justice Minister, Yariv Levin, refuses to recognise the legitimacy of the newly appointed President of the Supreme Court Justice Isaac Amit. Other ministers have suggested, even Netanyahu himself has hinted, that they will ignore Supreme Court decisions.
Operating ever more like a criminal gang, this government seeks to erode public confidence in the justice system, neuter the courts, and influence Netanyahu’s criminal trial. After giving evidence over the past few months, Netanyahu is soon to undergo cross-examination, where there is a pretty good chance that our esteemed prime minister may find himself humiliated. Adding to his woes, Sara Netanyahu, already convicted of one crime, is now wanted for a new investigation, and alleged witness intimidation.
With the Supreme court about to be called on to rule on both the termination of Ronen Bar and in time, of the attorney general, the chance of a constitutional crisis is all too real.
Qatargate - How Deep Does It Go?
Many ponder that the initial allegations are just the tip of the iceberg. Netanyahu’s closest advisers have reportedly been in the employ of Qatar, the same country that aids and bankrolls Hamas. Has Qatar succeeded in placing spies at the heart of the Israeli government? These are not fringe characters. They are communications and strategic advisors at the epicentre of Netanyahu’s political machine.
If this were any other country, such allegations would spark mass resignations, failing that, a responsible leader would fire those involved, or at the very least suspend them, pending investigation. In Netanyahu’s Israel however, they prompt denial and deflection, accusations of a “deep state” conspiracy, attacks on those tasked with investigating the affair. a tightening of control and a silencing of dissent. And of course, the termination of the man in charge of the investigation.
The Police - A Fox in the Hen House
Netanyahu has handed over control of the police to an eight-times convicted criminal with two convictions on terror related charges. Talk about the “best man” for the job. Ben Gvir, leader of the extremist Jewish Power party has set about gutting the police of its finest and most experienced senior officers, those with a backbone, and who object to the politicisation of the police.
He is replacing them with sycophants, officers who align with his extremist agenda and those who will bend to his will. He seeks to steer law officers away from investigating government corruption, extremist right-wing activity, including terror in Judea & Samaria (the West Bank), and have them instead clamp down on anti-government protests, along with left wing and centrist activists who object to the current government’s attempt to undermine democracy, curb freedoms and establish a dictatorship.
He has also demanded the police employ “harsher measures” resulting in an unprecedented level of police violence against anti government protesters. The situation has disastrous implications. In addition, there are serious concerns regarding abuse of power, where the Shin Bet are now investigating the police and an alleged attempt to introduce, Kahanist ideology, illegal under the law, into the police force.
War on the Military as it Fights the War
Ever since October 7th, Netanyahu and his cohorts have waged a carefully calculated assault on the IDF and the security apparatus. The message to the public is clear. The IDF is wholly responsible for October 7th along with the security services, certainly not the prime minister or his government.
It’s not that he ignored every warning. It’s not that he refused to meet with senior officers who wanted to brief him on the risks posed by his government’s judicial reforms. It’s not that he ignored the signs. It’s not that he disregarded the warnings and insisted on passing $billions of Qatari cash to Hamas. He didn’t know! How could he? Nobody told him. Not only that, both the military and the security services, hid critical information from him.
Or so he would have you believe.
Back in June 2024, while meeting with hostage families, Mrs Netanyahu accused senior officers in the IDF of plotting a coup against her husband. Of course that’s just what the desperate families, clinging to hope that the IDF can rescue their loved ones, wanted to hear. And for sure, the families of the regular and reservist soldiers, risking their lives to defend their country and rescue the hostages, want to hear that the IDF leadership is playing politics rather than leading the war effort.
As ludicrous, insulting and inappropriate as it was, Sara Netanyahu’s outburst was very much in line with the family strategy. Of course, the prime minister’s office denied everything. The prodigal son also entered the fray. Yair Netanyahu, that brave digital warrior, fighting the good fight from the “dark tunnels” of Miami, Florida, took to his keyboard to attack the Heads of the military and security services (who by the way, are providing him with 24/7 personal protection), tweeting, “What are they trying to hide? If there was no betrayal, why are they afraid of an external investigation?”
One cannot but marvel at the irony, as both the Chief of Staff and Head of Shin Bet have accepted responsibility for the failures of October 7th, said they will resign, and called for a full independent State Investigation, all of which his father has steadfastly refused to do.
The strategy is clear, scapegoat the generals and protect the throne.
While undermining the military command, Netanyahu is also practically denying the IDF of manpower.
While the country continues to fight a war on seven fronts, as the IDF is stretched to capacity and beyond, Netanyahu still insists on pushing forward with a law that allows ultra-Orthodox men to skip military service entirely. Why would he do such a thing? Simple, because he needs the support of the Haredi parties to stay in power, consequences be damned.
Ex Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, also fired by Netanyahu, stated, “Anyone who represents the soldiers cannot support the bill. This is not a political matter. The IDF needs more soldiers.” This is probably one of the reasons he was fired. But Netanyahu isn’t representing the soldiers, or the IDF. Netanyahu is representing Netanyahu! Once again, he’s putting political survival ahead of national security.
Controlling the Narrative - War on a Free Press
Netanyahu has long demonstrated an obsessive preoccupation with the media. Since October 7th, this obsession has escalated into a full-blown assault on Israel’s freedom of the press. While his government wages a multi-front campaign against independent journalism in the country, and smear campaigns against reporters and outlets who dare to challenge him, Netanyahu has chosen to withdraw from any meaningful engagement with the Israeli media.
He has granted countless interviews to foreign media outlets, while in Israel itself, he has deigned to appear solely on Channel 14, an unashamedly ultra-nationalist, pro Netanyahu news (I use the world in its broadest terms) channel, known less for news, than for propaganda, loyalist cheerleading and vitriolic attacks on Netanyahu opponents.
Rhetoric from Netanyahu and his inner circle grows increasingly threatening. Journalists are branded as “traitors,” “enemies of the state,” or accused of aiding Hamas and sabotaging national morale. Such language has become routine, emboldening harassment and even physical violence on reporters in the field.
Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi has advanced efforts to privatize the public broadcaster, Kan and spearheaded an official boycott of Haaretz, accusing it of undermining Israel’s legitimacy. In November 2024, Press Freedom Director at the Union of Journalists in Israel, Anat Saragusti, warned that these attacks are no mere posturing: “ This is not a false alarm. It’s a real alarm.”
Comparisons to the policies of dictators such as Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, Erdoğan and even Putin, no longer feel so exaggerated. Netanyahu and his coalition partners may not be there just yet, but what we are seeing appears to be an all too real and accelerating strategy of suppressing dissent and centralizing control of the media.
At the center of it all stands a prime minister who looks to control the narrative and avoid accountability at all costs. Once more he seeks to erode public confidence in a core pillar of Israeli democracy, a free, independent, and fearless press.
An Eighth Front
This is not democracy. This is the playbook of authoritarianism. The man who prides himself on being the guardian of Israeli security and democracy is now its greatest threat. Desperate to survive both personally and politically, he is all too willing to turn Israel into an illiberal, corrupt, extremist state, unrecognizable to those who founded and built the modern Jewish State.
Like a mafia boss, Netanyahu surrounds himself with enforcers and sycophants. He rewards loyalty, punishes dissent, and ensures that his power remains unchallenged at the expense of those he claims to serve.
The sad reality is, since October 7th, 2023, the people of Israel have been fighting a war on eight fronts, not seven, the eighth being Netanyahu and his government, who today pose, perhaps the greatest threat of all, to the security, welfare and future of the country.
A Legacy of Failure & Betrayal
If Netanyahu is allowed to continue on this path, the damage he does may be irreversible.
Despite his strategy of divide and rule, for a long time now, this has not been about left or right, secular or religious, Sephardi or Ashkenazi, hawk or dove. You can see people from across the full spectrum of Israeli society, including once avid supporters of Netanyahu, but no longer; out on the streets, standing together against a corrupt and incompetent government, seemingly determined to destroy Israeli democracy and everything that has been built over the past seventy seven years.
The struggle today is about the survival of Israel as a functioning, Jewish, Democratic, law abiding society, where rights go hand in hand with responsibilities, and where everyone contributes to the welfare and security of the nation, without exception.
Under Netanyahu’s leadership, the war cannot be won, the hostages cannot be brought home, the country cannot heal, the social divide cannot be bridged, the economy cannot recover. Israel cannot move forward.
He may well be the greatest politician of his generation, but he is also the most disastrous leader in modern Israel’s history.
The British politician, Enoch Powell famously stated that, “all political careers end in failure”. Netanyahu’s failures are of such cataclysmic proportions, they will be his legacy. Benjamin Netanyahu, the most high profile and longest serving prime minister of the modern State of Israel will be remembered, not for security, prosperity, or statesmanship, but for division, destruction, corruption, and betrayal.
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