Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., May 06, 2008 Iyyar 1, 5768 | | Israel Time: 20:16 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 09:36 04/05/2008 The sin of arrogance By Amir Oren Tags: Menachem Mazuz  Ehud Olmert is suspected - as usual, one might add - of criminal offenses. The allegations need to be proven, but this adds insult to injury, even before it has become clear whether he is guilty of the "injury" of previous allegations. There is no need to wait for an investigation, prosecution and trial to end to know that Olmert is guilty of the sin of arrogance. As he evaded the law-enforcement authorities in previous cases - here an exoneration accompanied by harsh words, there the closure of a case due to a lack of sufficient evidence - Olmert seemed enveloped in a feeling of immunity. Someone else in his place would have suppressed a sigh of relief, curled up in his corner and become cautious about everything. But not Olmert, who, in his haughtiness, continued to get into trouble. This characteristic, no less than the severity of the allegations, requires his immediate removal from the prime minister's post. "They always come back," a senior police official predicted upon the closure of the Yanush Ben Gal-Russian gas case against Ariel Sharon, Olmert's bitter rival and predecessor. And sure enough, Sharon returned, and how - in the cases involving David Appel and Cyril Kern. So too Olmert. One of Attorney General Menachem Mazuz's first decisions, in April 2004, was to close the Greek-island-affair case against Olmert. Mazuz was convinced that the activities of bureau head Shula Zaken and another assistant were carried out without Olmert's knowledge and not on his orders. "It is not possible to prove the suspicion that Olmert, who stands at the top of the pyramid and is helped by various assistants, knew about everything going on under him in his bureau," Mazuz wrote at the time. Advertisement Olmert has not changed since then. On the contrary, he has become even more Olmertian. Mazuz is the one who has changed - he has become less Mazuzian. Over the last 30 years, sensitive, forgiving and considerate people have been appointed attorney general, and they have searched in vain for the smoking gun - even when the murderer used a rope. They were largely meant to overcome the obstinacy of the state prosecutors working under them; after all, the prosecutors, like the comptroller, are affiliated with the state, while the attorneys general are affiliated with the government. But as the years wear on, toward the end of their terms, something strange happens to attorneys general against their will. As they become more aware of the corrupt reality, they become drawn to the prosecution's tough approach. That's what happened to Yitzhak Zamir in the Bus 300 affair and to Elyakim Rubinstein in the last few weeks of his term, when - according to his spokesman, Yanki Galanti, who is now Olmert's spokesman - he decided to indict Appel for bribing Sharon, though Rubinstein didn't get a chance to actually file the charges. And that's what's happening with Mazuz now. It's not just theory anymore. The suspect is known to police and well known to the attorney general, who is aware of his activities day in and day out. Mazuz lost his virginity in the Greek island affair. Today, one can presume he would not doubt the possibility that Olmert, "who stands at the top of the pyramid," is knowledgeable about everything that goes on beneath him, whether it involves Shula Zaken or not. Now that the law-enforcement establishment has belatedly finished exhausting all the alternative possibilities, it has been working well for about a month. It has been assisted by a little luck and coincidence, and mainly by outside help from anonymous heroes in the war on corruption - including those in the state comptroller's office, where the case began to be unraveled, and in another government ministry. When the curtain is lifted, it will become clear that the Israeli media has not been doing too well in the past two years, when Olmert's supporters have controlled or played a prominent role in every important media outlet. But it will also be clear that this is the media's finest hour, because without the spotlight directed by Gidi Weitz of Haaretz and Mordechai Gilat of Yisrael Hayom (Israel Today), the investigators would still be fumbling in the dark. This period, between Holocaust Remembrance Day and Memorial Day, are the High Holy Days of Israeli democracy, which must absorb the significance of the allegations even before they are publicized in full. That is the test of Mazuz, State Prosecutor Moshe Lador and police officials Yohanan Danino and Yoav Segalovitch, but the political establishment must not hide behind their backs. It must force Olmert to give up his seat so as not to humiliate the country during the Independence Day events and the hosting of U.S. President George W. Bush, who makes a big deal out of harshly punishing Americans who bribe foreign government officials. This is a rare moment for governments and legislatures - like the moment when the British government changed hands from Neville Chamberlain to Winston Churchill or when Levi Eshkol handed over Israel's defense portfolio to Moshe Dayan - which requires broad-based support for removing Olmert as prime minister. Israel is supposed to be celebrating its 60th anniversary this week - not its corruption. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Shimon goes green Peres says to fight terror Israel should reduce its dependence on oil. Voices of heroism IDF releases audio recordings from famed 1976 Entebbe raid.   1.   Amir Oren Guilty of Arrogance? 10:13  |  FOX 04/05/08   2.   "the sin of arrogance" 10:17  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 04/05/08   3.   I am already feeling slightly better 10:27  |  Dror 04/05/08   4.   Good one FOX #1 10:34  |  Dror 04/05/08   5.   At this sad and uncertain time... 11:07  |  Esther 04/05/08   6.   Amir Oren`s Blah, Blah, Blah 12:15  |  Ben Israel 04/05/08   7.   How did this forum dissapear so fast? 16:39  |  FOX 04/05/08

Read & React Erekat: No progress in Monday's talks, key issues still contested Responses: 83 Moshe Arens: Is Olmert pushing for peace at any price? Responses: 54 Daphna Golan: When will we listen to the Palestinians' suffering? Responses: 121 Soldier killed in Lebanon War 'finally promoted to rank of Jew' Responses: 70 Rosner's Domain Why progressives don't like Israel (WTR) Poll: If Olmert is gone, who should be PM? The Democrats are fighting over Iran Carter is helping Hamas achieve their strategic goal How people die in Gaza? (WTR) More Headlines 18:20 State upholds gag on Olmert probe; details emerge in U.S. media 19:44 Attorney for ex-aide in Olmert probe: State using her to get to PM 16:09 Barak: Probe will not affect Olmert's political decisions 20:12 World Likud chief calls for cancellation of Nakba Day procession 17:53 8 Jerusalem youths arrested for allegedly stabbing 2 Israeli Arabs 17:37 Police quiz Druze women over possible Memorial Day protests 19:24 Court orders state to explain why citizenship law won't be reversed 14:24 Polish police: Kuwaiti envoy's son held 3 Jewish teens captive 12:30 Erekat: No progress in Monday's talks, key issues still contested 15:41 Palestinian forces kill bystander in clash with Jenin gunmen 16:47 Israel at 60: Population nears 7.3 million, 76% Jewish 19:28 TA court sentences 'DNA Rapist' to 25 years in prison Previous Editions Select Day 05 may 04 may 02 may 01 may 30 apr 29 apr 28 apr 27 apr 25 apr 24 apr 23 apr 22 apr

Special Offers Advertisement Dead Sea Products Buy Dead Sea mineral skin care and beauty products. Coupon code Haaretz for 10% off. Together Celebrating Israel's 60th The Jewish Agency and world Jewry shaping the destiny of Israel and the Jewish people. Pardes Institute Summer Sessions http://www.pardes.org.il/ FAREWELL ISRAEL New Film The Coming War for Islamic Revival - View Movie Trailer The interest rates haven't changed But your profits will! Learn Hebrew online with Israel's best teachers Sign up for a trial lesson today Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations 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

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