On Thursday Benjamin Netanyahu reacted to indictments on charges of bribery and fraud with a vitriolic attack on law enforcement, the judicial system and what he sees as hostile left-wing media.
He claimed that police and prosecutors were conducting a grand conspiracy to remove him from power.
This was a line of attack he’d taken as the investigation closed in, and one he’s expected to continue as the country staggers towards more months of political crisis.
And although Mr Netanyahu has been weakened, he has time on his side as he continues to struggle for political survival.
Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit announced the indictment after three years of probes into the prime minister’s relationships with wealthy friends.
Mr Netanyahu is accused of accepting expensive gifts in exchange for political favours, and doing deals to get good press coverage.
Mr Mandelblit insisted he was not politically motivated but had acted professionally to uphold the law.
The force of Mr Netanyahu’s response alarmed observers of Israel’s political scene.