Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., September 15, 2008 Elul 15, 5768 | | Israel Time: 05:34 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
  Back to Homepage
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File
Last update - 05:27 12/09/2008
Who are the 100 most influential people in Israel?
By Haaretz Staff
Tags: Israel, Mazuz, Olmert

1. Menachem Mazuz, AG
The attorney general is not a deliberate superhero. He is an unwitting one. He flees from power and it chases him. But in these days of soaring corruption and plunging ethics, that, too, is commendable. Mazuz, 53, on the verge of a decision to retire in less than a year, has become Super Meni for one fateful moment.

Mazuz closed the Ariel Sharon case, faltered in the Moshe Katsav case and evinced doubts about the investigations into Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. But the moment Morris Talansky came out of the woodwork, Mazuz turned into the most influential person in Israel. His were the decisions that unseated a prime minister. If charges are pressed, a giant step will have been made toward uprooting corruption in Israel.
Advertisement
Within weeks, Mazuz will have to decide whether to press charges against Olmert. But just as they did- to his displeasure - when then state prosecutor Edna Arbel faced off against Ariel Sharon, all the signs point to an indictment.

In practice, without prior coordination, Mazuz and Olmert have something in common: They have both decided to retire. But one sank to rock bottom, the other climbed high. Mazuz's decision on charges, yea or nay, will signal to all of Israel's present and future leaders just what the public and the justice system expect of them.

Mazuz is leaning against a plea bargain with Olmert. Of course, since the prime minister's attorneys have not proposed one, Mazuz does not have to quibble over such a deal's clauses. But he would be unlikely to agree to one that did not include a prison term or a finding of moral turpitude.
Mazuz's sense of responsibility obligates him to finish handling Olmert's case (and that of former president Katsav's), but not necessarily to complete the six years of his term, which ends in 2010. Five years are apparen

2. Four knights of justice
Micha Lindenstrauss, Moshe Lador, Yohanan Danino, Yoav Segalovitch: The state comptroller, state prosecutor, chief police investigator, commander of the Lahav special investigations unit.

After months of appearing on a practically daily basis, State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss' name disappeared from the front pages. He may have grasped that becoming a household name not only brought prestige: It also attracted brutal criticism. Yet he forged ahead, attacking a slew of highly charged issues, while taking blows from every direction.
Lindenstrauss has said that he wants to fight corruption in real time, not confining himself to penning reports -he wants to make changes. But Israel's the comptroller, efficient and aggressive as he might be, could not have exercised his potential influence without the cooperation of the state prosecutors and the police.

State Prosecutor Moshe Lador is Lindenstrauss' crime-fighting backbone. As a person who believes in not going to court without a 99% chance for a conviction, Lador defends State Prosecutor's Office attorneys and the police and ensures that the system makes decisions based on good judgment and not based on a hidden agenda.

At the same time, Maj. Gen. Yohanan Danino, head of police investigations and intelligence and Lahav chief, Maj. Gen. Yoav Segalovitch, are committed to their goal and complement one another. tly enough for him, lest new challenges crop up.

3. Supreme Court President Dorit Beinisch
This month marked two years since Justice Dorit Beinisch became president of the Supreme Court. Her influence is based on her success in leading the justice system under heavy attacks from within, from the ostensibly liberal Ashkenazi judiciary elite. Her influence also comes from perseverance in her effort to increase the justice system's efficiency, by consistently stymieing what she views as destructive changes being promoted by the justice minister.

The key to understanding Beinisch's past year is the petition against the plea bargain with Katsav's sex offense case. Beinisch found herself in the relatively rare position of being in the minority opposite her colleagues on the bench. She had read the map better than they. As state prosecutor, Beinisch has backed a long list of indictments against public figures. Many ended in acquittals due to the soft interpretation of what constitutes breach of trust. Beinisch was a party to the rulings that changed that soft stance. She often lamented the loss of the public stigma on acts of corruption and called for educational change.

4. Stanley Fischer, governor of the Bank of Israel
Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fischer had all the criteria to be the Israeli economy's man of the year. When the prime minister is suspected of criminal activity, the previous finance minister is accused of theft and the current finance minister is an economic novice, and when the global economic crisis is knocking on the door, all the circumstances are ripe for the governor to become an economic super-leader - honest, trustworthy, responsible, focused only on the good of the country and the economy. For a few moments Fischer indeed gave this impression, and then he stumbled.

Next year, Fischer will finally try to meet the government's inflation target, to pass the new Bank of Israel bill in the Knesset, to sign a new wages agreement between the treasury and the central banks senior officials, and to appoint a new director general. Then what? Fischer has not yet decided on serving a second term as governor. He will be 67 when he completes his first term in April, 2010. When the press attacks him, and this has been happening quite frequently of late, Fischer swears he will not accept a second term. At other times, he leans toward staying on the job.

5. Nochi Dankner, controlling shareholder, IDB Group
Nochi Dankner controls the IDB Holdings group - a concern that controls some of Israel's largest companies, including Cellcom Communications, Clal Insurance, Super-Sol, Koor Industries and Makhteshim-Agan Industries. Dankner took over IDB toward the end of this country's financial crisis in 2003, with his partners, the Livnat and Manor families. The coming months will be his big test. In his first five years at IDB, the group's shares were conspicuously weak compared to those of holding companies such as the Delek Group, Africa Israel Investments and The Israel Corporation - due to Dankner's focus on the local market and his great caution in new investments. Now that caution should pay off. Dankner can take advantage of the global crisis to make acquisitions.

6. Sammy and Idan Ofer, controlling shareholders of The Israel Corporation
Sammy and Idan Ofer control one of Israel's largest and most important conglomerates - The Israel Corporation, which controls Israel Chemicals, Haifa Oil Refineries, Zim Integrated Shipping Services and Tower Semiconductor. The Israel Corp. made the Ofers the richest family in Israel, with holdings in Bank Mizrahi Tefahot, real estate and international shipping companies. What does 2009 hold in store for them? Israel Chemical's prosperity from potash deals may not last forever. Tower, the black sheep of the Ofer group, is not exactly glowing, and Zim and the oil refineries could also to disappoint. Still, Idan and Sammy are among the only Israeli businessmen who can take advantage of the approaching crisis, thanks to their tremendous cash reserves.

7. Yitzhak Tshuva, controlling shareholder of Delek Group
About a year ago, hundreds of journalists were invited to a ceremony in Las Vegas. Yitzhak Tshuva and Nochi Dankner, decked out in red hard hats, dramatically pushed the button - and the New Frontier Hotel, the oldest on Vegas Strip, was demolished to make way for a $7-billion project.
Perhaps it's poetic justice that Tshuva's luck turned in that mecca of gambling. A year after the hard-hat scene, Tshuva's Midas touch seems to have faded. The share price of his flagship company, Delek Group, has fallen by 55% from its peak in July 2007.

In the months to come, Tshuva's group could follow the unhappy path of the investment banks and credit-guzzling private equity funds. Delek's appetite for new projects will wane, and will gradually be replaced by a hunger for liquidity. The group might even sell off some of its liquid assets to please the capital market.

8. Lev Leviev, controlling shareholder of Africa Israel Investments
Even after his shares crashed in the wake of the global real estate crisis, after senior management changes and after his move to London - Lev Leviev remains one of the most talented and impressive entrepreneurs in Israel. The man who broke the De Beers diamond cartel controls an industrial, real estate and diamond empire covering five continents.
Despite the blows he suffered from the financial crisis, the greater threat at the moment is the political crisis developing in Russia.
Leviev is on good terms with the Russian regime, but if President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev do not change their policy toward foreign investors and these continue to flee, Leviev will have difficulty financing his giant real estate projects there.

9. Zadik Bino, controlling shareholder of Paz Oil, First International Bank of Israel and Ashdod Oil Refineries
Zadik Bino's takeover of the Ashdod Oil Refineries in 2006 turned him into the biggest energy tycoon in Israel, with a 33% share of the market.
Although some analysts initially said he had paid too much for the refineries, he sneered at his critics and recouped much of his investment after floating Paz Oil, Israel's largest fuel company. Bino has another power source - the First International Bank of Israel. Even though this is Israel's fifth largest bank, it has a good market position and Bino, who heads the credit committee of the bank's board, has access to information on most of the Israeli business sector.

Bino's strength from his banking interests will no doubt grow this year, along with the entire banking sector, as companies facing economic difficulties apply for more financing.

10. Galia Maor, CEO, Bank Leumi
After the stormy events at Bank Hapoalim this past year, Galia Maor found herself managing the biggest bank in Israel. Leumi, which is still controlled by the state, has reported the best financial results of any bank, demonstrating that sometimes a company that is not privatized can fare better than one that has been.

Maor's main task now will be to maintain Leumi's status as the largest bank when Hapoalim starts to recover. It will be interesting to see Leumi's strategy regarding its real asset holdings when the shares the bank owns turn south - a real possibility considering their sharp climbs in recent years (at least Israel Chemicals and The Israel Corp).

Another important job facing Maor is to groom the next generation. Some of the bank's top people, including herself, will reach retirement age in a couple of years.


The full list

1. Attorney-General Menachem Mazuz ("Supermeni")

2. Micha Lindenstrauss, Yohanan Danino, Moshe Lador, Yoav Segalovitch

3. Dorit Beinisch

4. Stanley Fischer, Bank of Israel

5. Nochi Dankner, IDB

6. Sammy and Idan Ofer, Israel Corp

7. Yitzhak Tshuva, Delek Group

8. Lev Leviev, Africa Israel

9. Zadik Bino, Paz, Oil Refineries

10. Galia Maor, Bank Leumi

11. Eitan Raff, Bank Leumi

12. Roni Bar-On, Finance Ministry

13. Ofer Eini, Histadrut

14. Shari Arison, Arison Investments

15. Dudi Wiessman, Dor Alon

16. Arnon Mozes, Yedioth

17. Sheldon Adelson, Yisrael Hayom

18. Danny Dankner, Bank Hapoalim

19. Roy Vermos, Psagot

20. Ishay Davidi, FIMI

21. Rakefet Russak-Aminoach, Bank Leumi

22. Zion Keinan, Bank Hapoalim

23. Yair Hamburger, Harel

24. Yadin Antebi, capital markets watchdog

25. Ram Caspi, lawyer

26. Aharon Fogel, Migdal

27. Shy Talmon, Clal Insurance

28. Dorit Salingar, Gil Gazit, credit raters

29. Muzi Wertheim, Bottling Co

30. Yossi Maiman, Merhav

31. Zehavit Joseph-Cohen, Apax

32. Giora Offer, Bank Leumi

33. Matthew Bronfman, Shalom Fisher, Discount

34. Eli Yones, Mizrahi-Tefahot

35. Eli Hurvitz, Shlomo Yanai, Teva

36. Akiva Mozes, Israel Chemicals

37. Meir Shamir, Mivtach Shamir

38. Shlomo Eliahu, Eliahu insurance

39. Smadar Barber-Tsadik, FIBI

40. Yael Andoran, pension funds

41. Haim Saban, Capital Group, Bezeq

42. Ariel Atias, Communications Ministry

43. Menahem Gurvitz, Ari Kalman, Menorah

44. Shlomo Rodav, Avi Gabai, Bezeq

45. Pini Rubin, lawyer

46. Benny Steinmetz, BSG

47. Varda Alshech, judge

48. Rony Hizkiyahu, banks

49. Haim Krupsky, Isracard

50. Ofra Strauss, Erez Vigodman, Strauss

51. Ami Erel, IDB

52. Avraham Bigger, Makhteshim Agan

53. Efi Rosenhaus, Super-Sol

54. Udi Angel, Ofer Bros

55. Yahli Shefi, Phoenix

56. Ron Lubash, Amir Kess, Markstone

57. Livnat family, IDB

58. Avishay Braverman, Finance Committee

59. Roni Biram, Gil Deutsch, David Baruch, Excellence

60. Amos Shapira, Cellcom,

David Avner, Partner

Gil Sharon, Pelephone

61. Shaul Elovitch, Eurocom

62. Gad Somekh, Somekh-Chaikin

64. Yarom Ariav, Finance Ministry

65. Ilan Shiloach, McCann-Erickson

66. Yitzhak Swary, auditor

67. Gezi Kaplan, Dan Propper, Osem

Roni Kobrovsky, Bottling Co

68. David Azrieli, Menahem Einan, Azrieli

69. Shimon Peres, president of Israel

70. Ronit Kan, trustbuster

71. Igal Brightman, Deloitte Brightman-Almagor

72. Avi Nir, Keshet

73. Benjamin Ben-Eliezer, National Inf. Ministry

74. Eliezer Fishman, real estate, media

75. Moti Friedman, Amos Lasker, IEC

76. Boris Krasny, Policy

77. Yossi Vardi, serial entrepreneur

78. Ron Eilon, Yes

79. Dov Baharav, Amdocs

80. Len Rosen, Yoram Inbar, Lehman Bros Israel

81. Gil Shwed, Check Point

82. Chaim Katzman, Nathan Hetz, property barons

83. Shay Agassi, Better Place

84. Rani Rahav, PR

85. Gideon Amichay, Shalmor Avnon Amichay Y&R

86. David and Izzy Borovich, Haim Romano, El Al

87. Shraga Brosh, Manufacturers Association

88. Meir Brand, Google Israel

89. David Hodek, Maya Liquornik Dan Geva, lawyers

90. Zohar Goshen, Securities Authority

91. Dalia Tal, Kantor Elhanani

92. Arcadi Gaydamak, businessman

93. Yaakov Yisrael Ifergan (Rabbi "X-ray")

94. Rami Levy, retailer

95. Zvika Pollak, Colmobil

96. Eli Zohar, lawyer

97. Shapira bros., Shapir Engineering

98. Eli Alalouf, RSI

99. Shone Tell, Yad2 website

100. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert
Bookmark to del.icio.us  
 
Beatle terror
Islamic militant leader threatens to kill former Beatle, Sir Paul McCartney, over Israel gig.
Fugee Fridays
Every Friday, volunteers bring donated food from Carmel Market to African refugees.
  1.   Israeli Arabs 06:21  |  Robb Ur 12/09/08
  2.   Haredi Rabbis 07:23  |  Chaim 12/09/08
  3.   Avishay Braverman 08:18  |  Esther 12/09/08
  4.   more lists please 08:43  |  icc 12/09/08
  5.   Robb Ur 08:59  |  American 12/09/08
  6.   THE ONLY REASON 09:01  |  indrajaya 12/09/08
  7.   notice who really runs israel 10:12  |  david 12/09/08
  8.   To number 1 12:42  |  RR 12/09/08
  9.   Haaretz worldview 13:18  |  Hilary 12/09/08
  10.   Not a single cultural scientific intellectual literary figure 13:58  |  Shalom Freedman 12/09/08
  11.   Dud list 14:08  |  JJ burke 12/09/08
  12.   #5 - do you mean that you don`t know anyone else on the list? 14:45  |  redmike 12/09/08
  13.   Hilary#8:Where are the spiritual leaders, teachers? 15:08  |  Esther 12/09/08
  14.   to 1 and 7 Until Palestinians Can Make Aliya... 15:47  |  Monitor 12/09/08
  15.   the next list... 16:47  |  henry 12/09/08
  16.   Influential people 16:58  |  Anonymous 12/09/08
  17.   to number 13 19:18  |  Rob of melbourne 12/09/08
  18.   How True! 20:12  |  Ed 12/09/08
  19.   Earth To Readers: Israel Is A Jewish Country! 22:33  |  Rags To Rufus 12/09/08
  20.   what a hollow society we are 22:43  |  mike 12/09/08
  21.   missing lists of gangsters, war criminals, land thieves ... 17:21  |  Historian 13/09/08
  22.   to # 1: Unfortunatly, non of them are Israeli-Arabs 08:24  |  Rami 14/09/08
  23.   Earth to # 19.... 08:29  |  Rami 14/09/08
  24.   Dana international ??? 18:12  |  Rob of melbourne 14/09/08
 Read & React
U.S. to sell IAF smart bombs for heavily fortified targets
Responses: 247
Abbas to Haaretz: We will compromise on refugees
Responses: 137
Medvedev to Haaretz: Attack on Iran will endanger entire world
Responses: 100
Yitzhar settlers erect outpost near site of West Bank rampage
Responses: 97


More Headlines
02:52 Police yet to make arrests, take testimony on settlers' rampage
03:35 Mazuz orders criminal probe into group accused of encouraging draft dodgers
00:40 War probe member: Half our recommendations still unimplemented
04:27 ANALYSIS / Can Kadima survive with Mofaz as PM?
23:20 Olmert: There's no such thing as 'Greater Israel' anymore
04:36 ANALYSIS / Lebanon War diverted Olmert from his goal to pull out of West Bank
04:44 Suspect in female rabbi's murder in Ashkelon reenacts crime
17:44 Muslim leader threatens to kill Paul McCartney over Israel gig
14:06 Jewish World / Photo essay: Fugee Friday in Tel Aviv
01:23 Jihad claims responsibility for Qassam attack on Sderot
19:53 Iraqi MP: They punished me for Israel trip because I criticize Iran
22:34 Police believe suspected murderer tried to download snuff movie
17:34 Psychiatrists: Mother suspected of drowning son is fit to stand trial
22:09 Abergil cronies arrested for trying to booby-trap rivals' car
Previous Editions
Special Offers
Advertisement
Fattal Hotel Chain
Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel.
Eldan Rent a Car
Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations
Jewish Singles Personal Ads
Find the love of your life on JDate.com
Israel's Premier Real Estate Website
www. israel-property.com
Hebrew Summer courses
From $39.95
ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel
Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th
Junkyard
Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |
Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel
birthright Israel | Search engine marketing
Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved