As the Netanyahu-Mandelblit trial progresses, so does the impression that the precedent-setting indictment, in which hundreds of millions of shekels were invested, and which dragged Israel into political chaos under the slogan "just not Bibi," was actually intended to promote a coup - and succeeded.
The main prosecution witnesses, mainly state witnesses, become defense witnesses.
Police investigators at the witness stand say they did not really know what they needed to investigate, beyond expecting them to find a shred of incriminating evidence against a target that was pre-marked as corrupt.
The interrogation methods turn out to be dubious, and reinforce the impression of applying improper pressure on witnesses, using dubbing and fishing evidence.
Work practices reminiscent of dark regimes, combining propaganda, mass psychology and disinformation.
It seems that every decent and critical citizen now understands that this is not just the Netanyahu trial, but the trial of senior members of the law enforcement system, who have forcibly and severely damaged Israeli democracy.
Damage whose price will be paid for many more years.
When a law enforcement system, out of a Nietzschean desire for power, deals with the chosen system and tries to present it as ignorant, corrupt and submissive, the result is a loss of public trust in the law.
There can be no real rule of law, as the level of trust in the law enforcement system deteriorates to an unprecedented low.
Netanyahu therefore did kindness to the State of Israel, by not giving up, and decided to fight for his innocence in harsh conditions of media hostility, severe restrictions on funding his defense and standing in front of a conscripted army, crowded with lines and waving flags like salesmen.
Had he retired, it is likely that the cases would have been closed and his bitter rivals in the media would have praised his courage.
His stubbornness will pay off for all of us and will ultimately lead to a comprehensive overhaul of the justice system, an unparalleled vital overhaul.
In recent days, the question of the plea deal has come up on the agenda.
A complex issue and a difficult and agonizing deliberation.
However, a distinction must be made between the private level and the public level.
On a personal level, any reasonable person understands that Netanyahu's chances of a fair trial are slim.
A sweeping acquittal on all counts means a harsh indictment of the law and justice system, of which the court is also a part.
You do not need the late Prof. Ruth Gavison or Justice Aharon Barak to internalize the meaning of acquittal in the legal system. In these circumstances, it may be better to end the campaign with a plea deal, which could save a lot of heartache and long years of litigation And the liar.
Even if he now makes a decision to sign a plea deal, Netanyahu did well not to do so at earlier stages.
His willingness to come up with the legal hearing so far has helped a lot to expose the prosecution’s shame, negligence and bias.
From now on, every decision he makes must be respected.
At the national-value level, however, and out of genuine concern for the future of the state and the willingness of citizens to respect the law, the trial must continue.
The many contributors to the fundraising campaign that soared within hours to impressive sums, have done so in the belief that the law enforcement system must be repaired.
This is not a gift of kindness to Netanyahu;
It is a belief that only he can now lead the struggle to expose the distortions and correct the justice system.
Any other elected public will be at the mercy of the system, which at will will allow him to rule, and at will will shorten his tenure.
In this way, Israeli democracy will be handed over to a small and unelected oligarchy, whose senior members will always find themselves pampering jobs after completing their public service in the service of the real rulers.
In anticipation of Netanyahu's difficult personal and national decision, I was reminded of sentences from the song "In My Way" by Paul Anka, translated by Arik Lavie: "Because what does he have, son of man ... to say what is in his heart / even if everyone is against him I always went mine. "
Were we wrong?
Fixed!
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