Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu is one of the most resilient politicians of the last century. From his time as a well-spoken ambassador fluent in both English and Hebrew to becoming Israel’s longest-serving Prime Minister, he has remained a central figure in Middle Eastern politics for decades.
His strong-willed nature is well-known, as is his ability to turn difficult situations to his own advantage, repeatedly building political coalitions despite narrow margins to maintain power. Ironically, it wasn’t a massive security failure that almost toppled him but rather the seemingly insignificant act of accepting lavish gifts from a famous Hollywood producer.
What is ‘The Bibi Files’ About?
Alexis Bloom’s film The Bibi Files is not a cure-all for those hoping for peace. For many Israelis, the interviews from 2018 shown here will not be surprising. The idea that Bibi is corrupt is nothing new to those who oppose him.
The leaked material has already been widely shared, and seeing Bibi and his family react to the investigation may have a greater impact than simply reading transcripts, but it is unlikely to change any minds. The film does not offer instant solutions to remove him from office, despite ongoing protests for his resignation.
Unfortunately, the film is unlikely to affect those who want the total destruction of Israel and see every Israeli action as suspicious. This increasingly vocal group advocates for dismantling the nation entirely, no matter who is in power.
Their rhetoric has been hostile for decades, helping those who use confrontations to strengthen their own positions. For Netanyahu’s supporters, though fewer in number, this film might appear to be yet another attack from liberal filmmakers that favors terrorists while undermining a nation at war.
Who Will Benefit from The Bibi Files?
The film is aimed at those with a general sense of the chaos and corruption in Israeli politics but lacking in details. With today’s oversimplified slogans, the film highlights an important point: Israelis are not a single, unified voice, and Netanyahu and his coalition do not represent the majority. Many Israelis, including participants in the film, are calling for an investigation into his actions.
The Bibi Files reveals that millions both inside and outside Israel want to end Netanyahu’s reign, tying the horrific events of October 7, 2023, to the policies of his administration. They argue that the ongoing war is less about securing the people and more about advancing an ideological agenda and avoiding accountability for clear instances of bribery and corruption.
A prominent voice in the film is Raviv Drucker, a journalist who has spent years exposing corruption in Israeli politics. Along with former allies of Netanyahu, like his former spokesperson Nir Hefetz, the film features interviews that provide context for the leaked footage.
The footage shows Netanyahu alternating between cold calculation and fiery outbursts, banging the table in anger or claiming to forget key events. He often repeats phrases like, “I don’t know” or “I can’t recall.” His keen awareness of the camera, even under stress, shows his skill as a politician. His emotional outbursts may be partly staged, but seeing the footage is essential to fully grasp its impact.
Netanyahu’s wife, Sara, and their son Yair, are also central to the story. Sara is portrayed almost like a villainous figure, similar to Lady Macbeth, manipulating her husband while demanding luxury gifts in return for political favors. Yair is even more extreme than his father, using modern media to push his far-right agenda.
The Film’s Supporting Voices
The film also features figures who describe the pressure they felt to comply with requests for favors. One of these is Arnon Milchan, an Israeli-born billionaire and producer behind popular films like 12 Years a Slave and Birdman. Milchan’s ties to Netanyahu include providing luxury goods, while others in the film discuss his involvement in attempts to influence U.S. visa requirements. Some even claim, though not confirmed, that Milchan once played a James Bond-like role in helping Israel’s nuclear program.
Other key figures include the Adelsons, American billionaires with strong ties to both Netanyahu and former President Trump. The film also goes into the testimony of Nir Hefetz, whose revelations are supported by additional interviews.
The score is at times overwhelming, and the use of an actor to reenact testimony due to Israeli privacy laws may feel out of place. However, the film does a good job of weaving these various elements together into a coherent narrative.
The film includes footage of massive protests in Israel against Supreme Court reforms, which many believe Netanyahu is pushing to protect himself. It also shows footage of the terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023, reminding viewers of the horrors faced by the people.
Alongside these images are scenes from Gaza, showing the suffering caused by Netanyahu’s policies. The film argues that the administration is funding Hamas to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Will The Bibi Files Make a Difference?
For those who feel Netanyahu and his family will never face justice, the film may offer a sense of release, though others may worry that the leaks will harm future legal action. Still, the film makes a clear case that these supposedly small acts of corruption are tied to the larger disaster now unfolding in the region.
Netanyahu’s move to ally himself with the most extreme elements of Israeli politics, trading national security for political power, is leading the country down a dangerous path.
The Bibi Files presents a strong case without becoming overly political. In addition to the voices of those within the administration or media, the film features a young woman who survived the attack on the Be’eri Kibbutz near the Gaza border. Her testimony is a powerful call for truth and reconciliation, offering a glimmer of hope for the future.
The film goes beyond recounting interviews, calling for immediate action—from bringing hostages home to seeking a ceasefire. Above all, it urges Israelis to reject this reactionary government and find a way forward, even in the face of overwhelming challenges.
