After acknowledging that police had hoped Netanyahu would resign after being indicted, former police chief Alsheikh caused a stir

When he admitted on Israel’s Galei Tzahal radio program that police had thought prime minister Netanyahu would resign due to the indictments being brought against him, former police commissioner Roni Alsheikh sparked a firestorm of criticism.

By filing a number of allegations against him, Likud and other right-wing MKs accused Alsheikh of attempting to foment a coup and overthrow the prime minister who was in office.

Nobody could have predicted that the prime minister wouldn’t quit and would continue to battle inside the system, according to Alsheikh.

When the charges were brought against him, our expectation was that he would resign,” he added.

My words are directed at the party that is engaged in conflict and does not comprehend that it should appoint a different leader for the sake of our nation.”

Nobody could have predicted what would happen as a result of presenting the charges, Alsheikh emphasized, adding that “there was no plan to depose a standing prime minister.”

Sharp criticism was leveled at Alsheikh’s statements. According to Minister Moshe Arbel (Shas), “Anyone who wants to live in a democratic state must be concerned by Roni Alsheikh’s assertions on Galei Tzahal that there was a clear operational plot to overthrow an elected prime minister.

These appalling statements that strike at the core of the democratic system must be included in civic studies and should serve as a warning to both supporters and critics of the administration alike.

The biggest threat to democracies is the practice of overthrowing elected governments by framing their leaders.

“In his startling admission this morning, Alsheikh revealed that the plot to overthrow the government had not gone as planned,” the Likud party claimed.

“The only thing that foiled his plan to overthrow the government was Netanyahu’s steadfast stand and his insistence on fighting for the truth to be revealed.”

As a result of Alsheikh’s admission, he and others who participated in his scheme should be questioned in order to learn the motivations behind the submission of the indictments against the prime minister, who is currently in office.