Likud accuses ‘deep state’ of trying to topple Netanyahu

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party issues a statement accusing the “deep state” of working to bring down the prime minister, accusing elements in the Israel Police, the State Attorney’s Office and the Attorney General’s Office of being involved.

“This witch hunt is intended to intimidate and instill fear among government ministers, Knesset members and senior officials, by creating a tightening noose around those close to the prime minister,” the Likud statement alleges.

The party’s accusations allude but do not directly reference ongoing investigations against a number of figures close to Netanyahu, including his chief of staff, Tzachi Braverman, his aides Jonatan Urich and Eli Feldstein, as well as the criminal probe of Social Equality Minister May Golan.

The statement cites Judge Menachem Mizrahi of the Rishon Lezion Magistrate’s Court — who has repeatedly ruled in favor of lifting restrictions on the premier’s aides, only to be overturned by a higher court – as saying that the case against them is like “flying camels.”

“All of this is done with the intention of preventing a democratically elected government from carrying out its duties, smearing it, and attempting to shorten its tenure through improper and unlawful means,” the statement adds.