Netanyahu slams ‘Leftist Deep State’ in quickly deleted X post as Qatar-Gate blows up

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ignited a firestorm last night (Wednesday) with a provocative X post from his official account, accusing a “leftist Deep State” in Israel and the United States of weaponizing justice systems to undermine right-wing leaders. The message, swiftly deleted and reposted on his personal account, drew a supportive emoji from billionaire Elon Musk, amplifying its reach as Israel grapples with escalating tensions over renewed Gaza strikes, a burgeoning corruption scandal dubbed “Qatar-Gate,” and mass protests demanding action on hostages.

“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,” Netanyahu wrote at 8:59 PM IST. The post, echoing rhetoric often wielded by U.S. President Donald Trump, vanished from the official @netanyahuhandle within an hour, only to reappear on his personal account, prompting speculation about internal pushback or a strategic shift. Yair Netanyahu, the prime minister’s son, doubled down, adding on X: “An important message to the Deep State in Israel: You are on the radar of the United States of America,” hinting at broader geopolitical stakes.

The timing couldn’t have been more charged. Hours earlier, Israeli police detained two suspects in the unfolding “Qatar-Gate” scandal, a probe into alleged Qatari payments to Netanyahu aides during hostage negotiations with Hamas. Reports reveal that Israeli businessman Gil Birger admitted to transferring funds from U.S.-based Qatari lobbyist Jay Footlik to Eli Feldstein, a former Netanyahu spokesperson who lacked security clearance for official pay.

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett branded it potential “treason,” alleging Qatar—Hamas’s key financial backer—had infiltrated Israel’s leadership. A 30-day gag order shrouds further details, but the arrests have fueled accusations of corruption as Netanyahu faces ongoing trials over unrelated graft charges.

Musk’s endorsement came as no surprise to observers tracking his growing alignment with Netanyahu. The Tesla CEO, a vocal Trump ally slashing U.S. bureaucracy, has met the Israeli leader multiple times, including a 2023 kibbutz tour post-October 7 and a July 2024 congressional address appearance. His “100” emoji—a shorthand for full agreement—underscored a shared narrative of embattled right-wing resilience, though it reignited debate over his platform X’s role in amplifying divisive rhetoric.

Netanyahu followed with an Instagram video titled “What is the Deep State?” set to Sia’s “Unstoppable,” claiming, “They want me and my government to be like a plant; we won’t let them. They always lean left,” framing the judiciary and security agencies as unelected overlords thwarting democracy.

The backlash was swift. Israel’s President Isaac Herzog’s office countered on X: “Israel’s strong and independent judicial system is an asset to our democracy, and the President of Israel is very proud of it,” a subtle rebuke to Netanyahu’s salvo.

Yesh Atid, led by opposition figure Yair Lapid, unleashed a scathing response: “Netanyahu has completely lost it. He’s off the rails. The Prime Minister of Israel is spreading dangerous conspiracies, undermining the rule of law, and tarnishing Israel’s reputation. He is in panic—knowing that his inner circle is immersed in foreign interests and that the truth will be revealed. This is not leadership; this is dangerous and embarrassing panic.” Lapid’s words echoed a nation divided, with polls showing nearly half of Israelis want Netanyahu gone now, and 24.5% post-war, per recent surveys.

The “Deep State” claim dovetailed with a volatile military backdrop. On Wednesday, the IDF resumed airstrikes on Gaza after a January 19 ceasefire collapsed, targeting 20 Hamas sites overnight. Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stark warning to Gazans: “The first Sinwar destroyed Gaza, and the second Sinwar will completely devastate it. Soon, population evacuation from combat zones will resume, and what follows will be far harsher—you’ll pay the full price. Release the hostages and remove Hamas, or face total destruction.”

By Thursday, IDF ground forces, including the Golani Brigade, had begun a focused operation in central and southern Gaza, seizing the Netzarim corridor to split the Strip—a move Hamas’s Abd al-Latif al-Qanou decried as “a complete abandonment of the agreement,” tightening the “stranglehold” on residents.

Protests erupted nationwide, with thousands blocking Jerusalem’s main highway Wednesday night, decrying both the Gaza escalation and Netanyahu’s moves against state institutions. His push to oust the Shin Bet head probing Qatar-Gate and the attorney general, alongside Itamar Ben-Gvir’s swift cabinet return post-strikes, stoked fears of political maneuvering. Hamas seized the narrative, with al-Qanou alleging the war serves “only Netanyahu and his political future,” endangering hostages—59 of whom remain captive, per IDF estimates.

As Gaza burns, hostages languish, and “Qatar-Gate” looms, the question lingers: will this rhetoric fortify his base or hasten his unraveling?

i24 and JPost contributed to this article.