The halo crumbled while he was in power: the domino effect that threatens to crush Netanyahu | Dr. Liraz Margalit
Dr. Liraz Margalit analyzes the significance of the interview with former military secretary Avi Gil, in which he breaks his silence while Netanyahu is still in power. The article argues that the silence of insiders is cracking, indicating the disintegration of the halo, the mechanism of fear and loyalty surrounding the prime minister, and creating a domino effect that could threaten his power.
Dr. Liraz Margalit analyzes the interview with former military secretary Avi Gil as a turning point. The article argues that the very existence of the interview, in which Gil breaks his silence while Netanyahu is still in power, is an exceptional event. History shows that insiders maintain silence even years after a leader leaves office, but with Netanyahu, the silence is broken before the fall. The article explains that the mechanism of fear and loyalty relies on a deep commitment to the leader, but it only takes one person breaking the silence to signal to others that the cost of speaking is lower than they thought. A domino effect is created: each additional testimony lowers the cost for the next one. Netanyahu's formal power remains in place, but the real power, which relies on people's willingness to remain silent for him, begins to leak. The article ends with a question: if the mechanisms of fear are cracking while he is in power, what will happen when he loses it?