Israeli Scandals

Police seizing the computers of the head of state, questioning him for six hours, the day after a complaint that may lead to an accusation of sexual abuse or of rape — this is what makes headlines in Israel’s daily newspapers these days.

President Moshe Katsay is also accused by the victim, his former assistant, a single mother, of blackmail by threats of firing. Protected by a law that excludes any possible condemnation, even after his exercise of political office, Katsay risks nothing but the end of his political career.

But several affairs concern government ministers, including the top official of the government, add to the political crisis that came to a boil following the aggression against Lebanon.

The controller of state accounting is investigating an exceptional kick-back of 500,000 dollars to Ehud Olmert and his wife Aliza for the purchase of an apartment in Jerusalem, a benefit believed to be linked to his function as prime minister.

A deputy in his party, former minister of environment and employment, is charged with false testimony and corruption for having distributed jobs to his friends in the Likoud, of which he was member at the time, without having made the contracts open to public bidding, as required by law.

The minister of justice, Haïm Ramon, was forced to resign. He had forced a civil servant to kiss him.

Finally, the commander in chief of the armies, General Dan Halutz, is still under investigation for having sold all his stock three hours after the capture of two Israeli soldiers by the Hezbollah.

Closely related articles :

Stop the Pyromaniacs in the Bush Administration !, by Bruno Odent

The Doctrine of the Neo-conservatives, by Jacques Coubard

Tight Coordination between Tel-Aviv and Washington, by Jacques Coubard

Afghanistan, the First Step, by Jacques Coubard

Editorial : Opting for Bloody Disorder, by Patrick Apel-Muller

Iraq, the other "Creative Chaos", by Hassane Zerrouky

Iran, Next Target ?, by Jacques Coubard

A Green Light for the Destruction of the Palestinian Authority, by Françoise Germain-Robin

An Israeli Raid that Violated the Cease-fire, by Hassane Zerrouky

The Palestinian Vice Prime Minister Kidnapped by the Tsahal, by Anne Roy