Netanyahu knows if you have to, you pay the price
Opinion: How Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has become above the law both on national and personal matters
The 'President' was chosen because its official owner is the office of Vladimir Putin. Revenue from the hotel goes directly to Putin's office, and if rumors are to be believed, from there it lands in secret bank accounts held by the Russian president, in exotic places around the globe.
Despite popular belief, Netanyahu does know there is no such thing as a free meal. Sometimes must pay. And if national interest dictates, you make-due with a five+ star hotel and not a six or seven, star, comfort be damned.
The question of when the deal for the release of Zachari Baumel was agreed on, remains unclear; was it before the remains were on rout to Israel, as the Russians claim or after, as claimed by the prime minister's office. Since both are known as zealots for truth, it is really, hard to know.
One thing is clear: It was a good deal. The Baumel family now has closure and Israel has rid itself of two small fish: a drug dealer, weeks away from completing his sentence and a minor terrorist.
This may even pave the way for another deal in future, one that would return the remains of the soldiers still missing from the 1st Lebanon war or even those of Israel's heroic spy Eli Cohen, executed in Damascus in 1965.
The deal is also a reflection of Netanyahu's standing on the world stage. Foreign government involvement in our elections, has happened before but only Netanyahu was able, so far, to enlist both Trump and Putin to his campaign. I don't think there is another leader currently in power that enjoys support from these two adversaries, except maybe North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un.
By law, a deal involving the release of terrorists must receive cabinet approval. Netanyahu could have gotten it easily. but he chose to skip the required process
This is interesting because it shows how Netanyahu views himself. He is no longer first among equals. He is now above the law.
He now looks on as ministers scramble to invent legislation that will keep him out of his legal jam, not even having asked.
It is established fact, almost, that Netanyahu's criminal cases will not see the inside of a court room. The newly elected Knesset will see to that, riding high on support from voters.
The cost of course will be to Israel's standing. That is a cost, Netanyahu is willing to pay, as we all know, sometimes you simply must pay.
