Israel released two Syrian prisoners this week, criminal prisoner Zidan Taweel and security prisoner Ahmed Khamis, in what Jerusalem described as a “goodwill gesture” toward President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Damascus. It was the sole decision of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, made without authorization from the cabinet and carried out in utmost secrecy. In the harsh public and political criticism that followed, it was argued that the move was the second part of a secret deal that Netanyahu made with Assad under the mediation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The first step, it was said, was the transfer of the remains of Israeli soldier Zachary Baumel to Israel just prior to the April 9 elections, winning Netanyahu brownie points from the public as a world-class statesman.

After Baumel's remains arrived in Israel, Netanyahu flew to Moscow to participate in an impressive ceremony that Putin organized for him. In the ceremony, the belongings of the Israeli soldier, considered missing for the last 37 years, were handed over to Netanyahu. Netanyahu again appeared as an important personage, a statesman able to solicit the assistance of the leaders of the world’s strongest powers.

But now, argue Netanyahu’s critics, it turns out that Israel made certain commitments in exchange for Baumel's remains. They argue that these commitments were hidden from the public eye so as not to damage Netanyahu prior to the elections, as the right-wing voters of the premier’s electoral base are never happy when enemy security prisoners are released. Netanyahu strongly denies the existence of any kind of a deal. Even the Israel Defense Forces, which was involved in the Israeli-Russian operation that led to the return of Baumel’s remains, denies the existence of a secret agreement.

One way or another, that Netanyahu agreed to release Syrian prisoners as a “goodwill gesture” without involving any other government body is suspicious. It clearly demonstrates, yet again, that the government institutions and formal administrative bodies that have led Israel for generations are crumbling. Even though the law expressly demands it in the event of a prisoner release, Netanyahu did not update the ministers, did not convene the cabinet and did not consult with any constitutional forums. He simply requested covert approval to bypass the security cabinet from Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit and after receiving it, Netanyahu made the arrangements on his own. The prime minister succeeded in fooling everyone: He was able to show off his prize before the elections, while the price he paid became public only after them.