Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared last night (Wednesday) on Kan 11 for an interview with Ayala Hasson, and was asked why he is only now, during an election campaign, coming in for interviews. Netanyahu replied: "I'm worried, the polls show a tie, so I want to get the right-wing out to vote."
Hasson asked Netanyahu about reports of an Egyptian plane that landed at an Israeli airport and told him: "I think if you can't crack something like that, it's a problem. It's very strange." Netanyahu replied: "In a deep state, it's very hard."
Hasson then asked Netanyahu: "Do you think there's a deep state here?" Netanyahu turned the question back on her: "What do I think? What do you think?" Hasson lowered her gaze and remained silent for several long seconds.
Netanyahu then answered: "Of course there's a deep state here."
Online, many have already begun claiming that silence is as good as admission. The Seventh Eye website wrote that Hasson's silence spreads Netanyahu's conspiracy theories.
The term "deep state" describes a network of power holders within state institutions, such as security officials, the justice system, the police and the civil service, who allegedly operate independently and without accountability to elected officials.
Netanyahu also addressed the defamation lawsuit filed against him by Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, and said that it's all lies, all orchestrated, and all intended to make him lose the election.
