In Hungary, Netanyahu claims fight against ‘deep state’ is a takeaway from his father’s advice

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues his new campaign against the “deep state” during his visit to Hungary.

In an X thread, the premier’s account shares comments he made on Friday to Hungarian students at the National University of Public Service in Budapest, after receiving an honorary doctorate there.

In the comments, Netanyahu said he asked his father, Benzion, before he became prime minister, “What is the most important thing that I need to have to lead our country?”

“And he had one word, which surprised me,” he said. “‘You have to have education. You have to be deeply and broadly educated. Otherwise,’ he said, ‘you’ll be at the mercy of your clerks.'”

“It’s called the deep state,” the premier added.

היה או לא היה? בנימין ששואף לגדולות שומע מאביו ההיסטוריון בנציון שהדבר הכי חשוב לעתידו זה חינוך. למה חינוך? בגלל הדיפ סטייט! כדי שיישמר משלטון הפקידים. סיפור שסופר אתמול לסטודנטים הונגרים בעת קבלת תואר דוקטור לשם כבוד. pic.twitter.com/oODms3v6yF

— Dov Gil-Har (@DovGilHar) April 5, 2025