Israelis disillusioned by corruption scandals

Olmert purchase under investigation
The state comptroller’s office, a government watchdog, is investigating Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s purchase of a home in Jerusalem, allegedly for far below its market value, and media reports this week said Olmert sold another home a decade ago to a Jewish-American businessman for well above market value.

And the list continues. Police questioned Likud lawmaker Israel Katz on Tuesday on accusations he made improper appointments as agriculture minister. The attorney general told Tzachi Hanegbi, a prominent lawmaker from Olmert’s Kadima Party, that he was going to be charged with fraud, bribery and perjury. Army chief Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz has come under heavy criticism for selling his stock portfolio the day the fighting in Lebanon began.

Even the two chief rabbis are under a cloud. One faces possible charges over accepting favors, and the wife and son of the other are involved in a sordid kidnapping and beating case.

Activists say Olmert’s refusal to appoint a powerful, independent committee to investigate the handling of the war was another sign of politicians’ inability to take responsibility for their actions.

'Every move' scrutinized
Television commentator Motti Kirshenbaum said politicians were not more corrupt — authorities were just better at catching them.

“There is more oversight. There is more criticism. There is more checking on every move that you make,” he said.

And with many of the scandals focused on sexual misconduct, some believed they actually showed an evolution in Israeli thinking, with politicians finally held accountable for inappropriate behavior that had long been winked at.

“What was considered before almost normal behavior all of a sudden is something that can send you to jail,” Kirshenbaum said.

Worse than the scandals, though, is the public’s general indifference to the corruption, a malaise that threatens the country’s democracy, Sarid said.

“People have become more and more passive and more and more apathetic,” said Eliad Shraga, head of the Movement for Quality Government. “They do care. They are serious, but when you do see so many leaders involved in such affairs, at the end of the day you become apathetic.”

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