Israel’s ‘Deep State’: Myth or Reality?

The term “deep state” typically describes networks of unelected officials such as, security agents, bureaucrats, and intelligence operatives, who are believed to exercise power beyond the reach of democratic accountability. While the phrase originated in Turkey, it has since been applied to contexts ranging from Egypt to the United States. In recent years, it has also entered mainstream political discourse in Israel. This article briefly explores the deep state concept in several countries before focusing on the evolving debate in Israel.

In Turkey, the idea of a deep state gained prominence following the 1996 Susurluk scandal, which exposed links between government officials, organized crime, and security forces—fueling public concern about shadow governance[1]. In Egypt, the 2013 military coup that removed President Mohamed Morsi highlighted how entrenched security and bureaucratic elites can override electoral outcomes[2]. In the United States, former President Donald Trump frequently invoked the term to describe what he alleged was a network of bureaucrats and intelligence officials working to undermine his administration[3]. Although these cases differ in political and institutional context, each illustrates how allegations of unelected elites can become powerful political narratives.

Israel’s case is distinct. As a parliamentary democracy with robust and transparent institutions, it does not fit the classic mold of deep state dynamics. Nevertheless, claims of unelected influence have gained traction in recent years. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has alleged that elements within the police, prosecution, and judiciary colluded against him in politically motivated corruption probes[4]. These claims intensified in 2023, when his government introduced judicial reforms aimed at limiting Supreme Court powers and restructuring the judicial appointments process.

Opponents of the reforms—including former heads of the Mossad, Shin Bet, and Israel Defense Forces—warned that weakening judicial oversight could erode essential democratic safeguards. Their public opposition, along with mass protests, led some within the coalition to accuse them of acting as an unaccountable elite, reviving the rhetoric of deep state accusations[5]. However, unlike the scenarios in Turkey or Egypt, Israeli institutions operate within established legal frameworks. The critical question is whether their independence constitutes a necessary system of checks and balances—or an entrenched power bloc resistant to electoral mandates.

Tensions came to a head in the wake of the October 7 attacks, after which the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) chief publicly accepted responsibility for his failures. Nearly a year and a half later, Prime Minister Netanyahu exercised the government’s lawful authority to remove him. However, the government’s legal adviser cited procedural flaws in the dismissal process, and the Supreme Court issued an interim ruling temporarily blocking the decision.

Reportedly, the attempted dismissal closely followed the emergence of the so-called “Qatar-gate” affair—a politically sensitive controversy involving an investigation into suspicions that two of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s close advisers allegedly received covert payments from Qatar to enhance the Gulf state’s image in Israeli media. The payments were reportedly funneled through an American lobbyist during ceasefire negotiations with Hamas[6].

While critics warned of the dangers of politicizing Israel’s security institutions, coalition allies argued that the episode underscored the need to assert greater control over agencies they view as operating without sufficient oversight. Supporters of the security services maintain that these bodies are fulfilling their statutory mandates to uphold national security and the rule of law. Critics, on the other hand, contend that their behavior reflects a deeper pattern of unelected influence and resistance to democratic accountability.

The controversy highlights enduring tensions within Israel’s democratic system. One camp insists that elected officials must be empowered to govern without interference from entrenched bureaucracies. The other stresses the importance of institutional independence as a safeguard against corruption, majoritarian overreach, and executive abuse. At its core, the debate centers on the allocation and limits of power: Who governs, who reviews, and when does oversight become obstruction?

Israel’s evolving discourse on the deep state is less about shadowy conspiracies and more about a structural dilemma familiar to many democracies: How can the system preserve both effective government and meaningful checks on power? While the term has its origins in regimes with opaque or authoritarian tendencies, in Israel it reflects a homegrown struggle over governance, judicial independence, and institutional legitimacy. Whether one sees these bodies as defenders of democracy or obstacles to electoral authority often depends on political alignment. What is clear, however, is that the deep state narrative will remain a potent force in Israeli political discourse, shaping how power, legitimacy, and trust are negotiated in a turbulent era.

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[1] JSTOR Daily. (2017, October 31). The Turkish Origins of the “Deep State.” Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-23581891,

[2] Mohamed Morsi ousted in Egypt’s second revolution in two years. The Guardian (2013, July 3). Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jul/03/mohamed-morsi-egypt-second-revolution

[3] Trump redefines ‘deep state’ as institutional fraud and corruption. Axios (2025, April 13). Retrieved fromhttps://www.axios.com/2025/04/13/trump-redefines-fraud-corruption

[4] Under fire from Netanyahu, AG says he won’t be cowed by ‘unfounded’ claims. The Times of Israel. Retrieved from Under fire from Netanyahu, AG says he won’t be cowed by ‘unfounded’ claims | The Times of Israel

[5] Times of Israel. (2024, April 11). Shin Bet official detained for classified intel leak; coalition fumes over ‘deep state’ probe. Retrieved fromhttps://www.timesofisrael.com/shin-bet-official-detained-for-classified-intel-leak-coalition-fumes-over-deep-state-probe/

[6] Hennigan, W. J. (2024, April 12). Inside Israel’s ‘Qatar-Gate’ scandal.. Retrieved from https://time.com/7274186/israel-netanyahu-qatargate-scandal-qatar-bribery-corruption-prime-minister-office