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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed that the “deep state” is targeting him in Israel, just as it is pursuing former US President Donald Trump.
In a statement posted in English on the official account of the Prime Minister’s Office on X, Netanyahu said: “In America and in Israel, when a strong right wing leader wins an election, the leftist Deep State weaponizes the justice system to thwart the people’s will. They won’t win in either place! We stand strong together.”
The post was quickly deleted from the official account and later reposted on Netanyahu’s personal account.
In America and in Israel, when a strong right wing leader wins an election, the leftist Deep State weaponizes the justice system to thwart the people’s will. They won’t win in either place!
We stand strong together.— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) March 19, 2025
Netanyahu’s wording closely mirrored the rhetoric often used by Trump and his supporters, who frequently claim that the judiciary has been “politicised” and is being used as a tool by political opponents. This narrative has intensified, particularly during Trump’s recent election campaign.
Right-wing billionaire Elon Musk replied to the post with a “100” emoji, showing support for Netanyahu’s statements.
The statement also reflects Netanyahu’s broader view of his struggle with what he calls the “deep state.” He argues that key state institutions, especially the judiciary and academia, are controlled by leftist elites who seek to limit the authority of democratically elected leaders and block policies aligned with the right-wing agenda.
The post emerges amid escalating domestic protests in Israel against Netanyahu, with critics accusing him of prioritising political calculations and personal interests in key decisions, including those related to security, to maintain his hold on power and satisfy his coalition partners.
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