Deep state, shallow state, black state

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America, Israel has something in common with you. You might think you are nothing like us; that our population is mostly a bunch of men shuffling around in black coats and fur hats with bewigged women following three steps behind. Or you might think we are all soldiers and settlers running around pointing big guns. But it seems we are having similar troubles as of late.

Yep! It’s the “Deep State.” At least that is what Sarah Netanyahu said to Trump’s daughter-in-law, as reported on Fox news. And “they,” in both countries, are apparently both out to depose their rightfully elected leaders.

The idea of a Deep State – a cabal of shadow leaders who control, or try to control the country – is even more threatening than anarchists or communists, because its members are invisible. They are, in Sarah’s words, “fairly small, radical left-wing elites founded by foreign countries and others, and they hold influence positions within key institutions.”

“They use other means, especially abusing the justice system to try to get rid of a government which was elected in a democratic way. They don’t care if they are undermining democracy and public trust,” she added.

In other words, members of the Deep State are all of our boogey-men rolled into one. They are elites (read university educated). They are left wing radicals (that is, anyone who has ever attended a protest). They are founded by foreign countries and others (okay, just a lie, if you omit the “others,” who could be anyone.) They have key positions (for example, the new major general, who already publicly disagrees with Bibi, or the implacable attorney general, who Bibi is still trying to fire). They also use the justice system to oppose government policy (otherwise known as checks and balances).

Founded by foreign countries: If they can repeat that lie so often it becomes the truth, the government will be able to justify new laws that will make it virtually impossible for any left-wing organization to use the foreign funding they rely on to operate. In essence, once the foreign funders realize their money will be taxed at the extortionate rate of 60-80%, they’ll find some needy organizations in other countries to support.

I guess it depends on which conspiracy theory you prefer

Abusing the justice system: The high court ruled that Bibi did not have proper grounds to fire Shabak head Ronen Bar. Not only that, they ruled he cannot be involved in hiring Bar’s replacement. That was a direct blow to Bibi, who is under investigation by the Shabak (among other things, ironically, for allowing a foreign country to buy influence in his office). If he and his PR team can manage to paint it as a plot to bring down the prime minister, rather than a legitimate, democratically-based decision, then new legislation to hobble the Supreme Court can be seen as merely righting the imbalance.

Abuse or justice? I guess it depends on which conspiracy theory you prefer.

Here is my question: If the Deep State really exists, what are they waiting for? Why haven’t they managed to topple the government by now? Why is Bibi not in jail or exile, if there is in fact such a powerful deep state at work?

As opposed to the Deep State, I have the conspiracy theory I call the Shallow State. That would be Sarah, herself, her son, Yair, and the extreme right-wing parties in the coalition. They are not in the least invisible, but they are definitely active behind the scenes. Sarah, for example, is said to be behind the nomination of Maj. Gen. David Zini to head the Shabak – a choice that may be struck down by the justice system. Sarah pretends to be a bit shallow, and she has even perfected the flutter of false eyelashes while complaining about the threat to “her husband.” But Sarah is not stupid, she is known to be a control freak, and there is evidence that she has a relatively heavy hand in running things just under the surface. The only question is to what extent she is in charge.

As to the right-wing parties, they employ the tactic used by all minority parties in a patchy government coalition: threaten to quit. Ben-Gvir, for example, is a yoyo when it comes to leaving the coalition and rejoining. They oppose hostage deals; they oppose ending the war; they are in favor of reoccupying Gaza. So far, they are getting their way.

Ultimately, it will be neither a nefarious Deep State nor an inept Shallow State that brings this government to its knees. It is the ultra-orthodox – those men in long black coats – who are threatening to bring an end to this corrupt, dangerous, idiotic government. Call them the Black State. They will bring the country down over a fight that Bibi can’t win – the attempt to dream up a draft law that will appease the ultra-orthodox, who do not want their sons serve, as well as the other members of the coalition (including the extreme right wing), who see we cannot have a “forever war” without drafting quite a few extra young men.

The Black State threatens the Knesset, as well as the very idea of a democratic state. But hey, if the Deep State can’t do it, I’m temporarily in favor of anyone who can bring this government coalition and its eternal war to an end.