Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu bestowed two “gifts” on the public on the eve of Israel’s 66th Independence Day.

The first was the new Basic Law defining Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people, which the prime minister announced Thursday (May 1). He said this law was intended to “anchor” Israel’s identity as a Jewish state.

The second was a decision made by the government on Sunday, May 4, a few hours before the opening of the events that mark the Israel memorial day for the fallen soldiers, to purchase a private jet for the prime minister and build a residence and office for him at a cost of 1 billion shekels [some $300 million]. The latter decision was inherited from former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, though Netanyahu was quick to repeal it (in 2009), arguing that it was wasteful. Despite the opposition of Finance Minister Yair Lapid to this extravagant and expensive move, Netanyahu has embraced the same initiative, and warmly at that.

These two problematic decisions, to which the public acquiesced with alarming silence, come from the exact same place. It is no secret that Netanyahu’s goal is to remain prime minister of Israel for many years to come. As such, he hopes to benefit personally from the upgraded home and jet. To achieve this goal, Netanyahu is taking steps to secure his position among the right. That is the precise point of contact between that decision and the Jewish State Basic Law.