Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s multiyear tenure is now entering its most dangerous phase: Netanyahu is losing his grasp over his own internal checks and balances system that, in the past, caused him to avoid security-related “adventures.” Now he is itching for a fight and wants to “leave his mark” on Jewish history. This issue was analyzed in an Al-Monitor article several months ago, but it seems that now he — and we — may be entering the point of no return.

Netanyahu will be investigated Oct. 5 one more time, but this doesn’t ruin his good mood. On Sept. 28, it turned out that Netanyahu has a major role in the drama that is playing out under the radar (mainly), regarding the appointment of the Israel Defense Forces next chief of staff. Netanyahu is making it hard for Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman to conduct an organized, transparent process for the appointment of a successor to Gadi Eizenkot; the latter is expected to return the keys on Jan. 1. Netanyahu favors the appointment of the youngest, least experienced contender among the four candidates. His goal: to receive a docile, submissive chief of staff who will owe his appointment to the Big Boss in Jerusalem.

“Netanyahu has reached a crucial, decisive stage in his life as a leader,” an associate of Netanyahu told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity. “He has sworn not to leave his seat until he clearly and sharply 'settles' the Iranian issue. He will not stand for a know-it-all chief of staff or heads of the branches of Israel’s security forces who think too independently and can do to him what they did in 2010 and 2011. Netanyahu is jockeying for a situation in which the heads of the security branches will carry out orders verbatim. He does not want people who can steal the show from under him.”

The main player in this appointment process is traditionally the defense minister. He is supposed to bring the name of the desired person to the government plenum for approval. The prime minister has a monopoly over what takes place in government meetings; he can even decide not to place the appointment of the chief of staff on the agenda, which may well turn the defense minister into a hostage should he not align himself with the Big Boss. Nevertheless, prime ministers generally try to avoid intervening in the process as much as possible. They stand on their rights to interview the candidates and remain in the picture, but at the end of the day it is still the defense minister who makes the recommendations and brings the decision to the government for a vote.