'This is a sign of what's to come:' Ehud Barak warns of Netanyahu's next move

Former Israeli Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ehud Barak has issued a stark warning about the escalating confrontation between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and the judiciary. Barak described the government's refusal to comply with High Court rulings as a dangerous sign of what's to come, suggesting it views itself as superior to other branches of government.

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You have to be blind, naïve or a yes-man to refuse to see that this is a sign of what is to come.

"You have to be blind, naïve or a yes-man to refuse to see that this is a sign of what is to come," Barak stated in an interview. He argued that the current issue is less important than the government's declaration of supremacy over the judicial branch, which he believes is a threat to Israeli democracy. Barak called for opposition leaders to unite in a public struggle against the government's actions.

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The issue this is about is less important than the very fact that there is a declaration here by the government that it sees itself as superior to the other two branches.

Barak directed sharp criticism at Netanyahu, asserting that the Prime Minister's decisions are driven by personal and political survival rather than the good of the state. He claimed that Netanyahu's conduct inflicts significant diplomatic, security, and economic damage. Barak pointed to the passage of draft-dodging laws during wartime and political payoffs as evidence of actions against public interest.

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There is no connection between Netanyahu’s behavior and Israel.

Furthermore, Barak alleged that Netanyahu's actions are directly linked to the ongoing war and the hostage crisis. He suggested that Netanyahu has deliberately sabotaged hostage deals because their success would lead to the end of the war. "A war stopping means a state commission of inquiry that will examine who is responsible for the October 7 massacre and who is responsible for the policy that Hamas is an asset," Barak explained, implying Netanyahu seeks to avoid accountability.

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It is clear that Netanyahu has no restraints at all. The man sabotaged entire hostage deals simply because a hostage deal means the war stops.