14 February 2018

Cogito Ergo Non Serviam

Israeli Police Recommend Indicting Prime Minister Netanyahu

The Israeli police have recommended to the Attorney General of Israel that he indict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on charges of bribery and breach of trust. The PM is defiant saying that this will come to nothing, like the other 14 investigations of his behavior before now. Currently, there are two investigations of him and his family and two more of his inner circle. His opponents are saying that it is further proof that he's crooked and needs to go. His supporters are claiming the police are trying to topple the elected head of government. The decision on an indictment is likely to take several months. Fortunately, elections must be held next year if not earlier, so Israelis can have a say in how they are governed.

Case 1000 is known as the gifts affair. The Guardian cites an Israeli police report that reads in part, "police said Netanyahu had accepted gifts valued at 750,000 shekels (£150,000, $208,300) from Milchan, and 250,000 shekels (or £51,000, $70,822) from Packer. In return, Netanyahu had helped Milchan, a producer who has worked on Pretty Woman and Fight Club, on US visa matters and Israeli tax breaks." If true, one is appalled by how cheaply Mr. Netanyahu sold his office.

The same paper says, "Separately, case 2000 relates to secret talks with the publisher of a leading Israeli newspaper,Yedioth Ahronoth, in which Netanyahu allegedly requested positive coverage in exchange for damaging a competitor, the pro-Netanyahu freesheet Israel Hayom." If true, this strikes at the heart of the free press in Israel, and it is a far more serious crime than lining one's pockets improperly.

The BBC explains, "Case 3000 involves Mr Netanyahu's lawyer and cousin, David Shimron, who is being investigated in a case regarding the acquisition of submarines from the German shipbuilder, Thyssen Krupp.

"Several suspects have been detained including the former commander of the Israeli Navy. Allegations that unofficial lobbying, indirect bribes and senior officials turned state witness are all features of this case.

"Case 4000 involves Shlomo Filber, a former head of the Central Committee of Mr Netanyahu's Likud party, who was appointed director-general of the ministry of communications shortly after the 2015 election.

"Mr Netanyahu swiftly dismissed the former holder of the post when he proposed a broadband reform. Mr Filber is suspected of supplying insider information to Bezeq, the major telecom company in Israel. He denies this."

Education Minister Naftali Bennett seems OK with all of this. He wondered if it was right for the PM to be "overthrown for the sake of a few cigars." Meanwhile, the Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked said the PM doesn't need to resign even if indicted. Tourism Minister Yariv Levin said, "This despicable move revealed tonight is an effort to stage a coup against the will of the voter."

This journal disagrees. This is far too much smoke for there not to be any fire. Even if the behavior doesn't rise to the level of felonious acts, the PM is going to spend far too much time defending himself to do a decent job for the Israeli people. Moreover, a politician who skates this close to crime probably shouldn't be in office anyway. Surely, Israel deserves a leader of high moral standing rather than one who can only say, "I was never convicted."