Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., May 13, 2008 Iyyar 8, 5768 | | Israel Time: 03:15 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Peres Conference Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Cancel the primaries By Shlomo Avineri Tags: Ehud Olmert, fund-raising  Even if it is still unknown at this point whether Ehud Olmert committed any crime by allegedly receiving money from businessman Morris Talansky, one thing is clear: the need for candidates in Israeli party primaries to raise massive amounts of money requires them to seek connections to the very wealthy, and this casts a heavy shadow on their public integrity. To preserve Israel's democracy, the primary system must be abolished, and new ways of electing candidates for the Knesset and party leaderships must be devised. Anyone running today for the leadership of one of Israel's large parties must engage in fund-raising on a vast scale. Those who wish to be included among the candidates for the Knesset also need a great deal of money. The primary system requires courting hundreds, if not thousands of people, as demonstrated by MKs who spend considerable time and money attending bar mitzvah celebrations of people they have no interest in, except for the possibility of recruiting them when the time comes. The fact that all of Israel's recent prime ministers were investigated on fund-raising matters - and that some of them only extricated themselves by the skin of their teeth - points to the depth of the problem. The supposedly democratic primary system is what creates the link between money and government. There is also a specific Israeli aspect: For various reasons, it is easier to raise large sums of money outside the country. So candidates must court Jewish tycoons abroad; the names of the figures behind the various would-be leaders are well known. The result is that the money of Jews who are not Israeli citizens influences the outcome of elections in Israel. Advertisement It is clear, for example, that when Olmert ran for mayor of Jerusalem against Teddy Kollek, he received financial support from American Jews who wanted to see a right-winger in the mayor's office. Absurdly, then, the money of people who are not citizens and do not have the right to vote may decide elections in Israel. Nothing has a more corrupting effect on democracy. Most Israelis are unaware that the primary system is not used in democratic countries other than the United States. Some observers believe that the only alternative to primaries is to have party candidates appointed by an organizing committee. But this is not the case. How do most democratic countries choose their candidates? Some are elected at party branches, some in districts, some at the party convention. Others are picked by women's organizations, youth organizations and trade unions associated with the party, and party leaderships get a chance to name a few candidates. This creates checks and balances, and, most importantly, it diminishes the need to raise money to run a primary campaign. A similar system should be instituted here. That way, the power to decide will once again be given to party members, not to wealthy contributors; Israel's citizens will regain their sovereign right to choose their own candidates; and foreign Jewish money will no longer shape the choices that determine the country's leadership, policies and fate. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Death of a heroine Irena Sendler, who saved 2,500 Jews during the Holocaust, dies at 98. Apocalyptic tidings Holy See warns of nightmarish perils if Mideast nuclear arms race is not halted.

Read & React Israel on alert as clashes rage across Lebanon for sixth day Responses: 277 Olmert to Egypt: No Gaza truce if Shalit is not released Responses: 127 Lieberman: I'd join Netanyahu gov't if I received defense post Responses: 69 Akiva Eldar: If Bush was really Israel's friend, he'd stay home Responses: 89 Haaretz TV: Religious homosexuals contend with self-hatred and Haredi condemnation Responses: 85 More Headlines 02:57 Bush to Haaretz: Peace process not contingent on one man 01:45 Police search J'lem municipality for evidence PM received bribes 02:44 Lebanese army says will use force from Tues. to stop fighting 02:45 ANALYSIS / In Lebanon, the new reality has taken over 20:31 Bush: Olmert is an honest man; our relationship is 'excellent' 02:02 J'lem bracing for gridlock during Peres presidential conference 22:07 U.S. think-tank aims to infuse Jewish life with dashes of color 23:50 Woman killed as rocket directly hits Negev home 21:24 Olmert to Egypt: No Gaza truce if Shalit is not released 00:14 Actor Jon Voight visits Israeli victims of Palestinian attacks during Jerusalem trip 23:42 U.S. victims of terror in Israel sue Swiss bank for ties with Iran 21:36 11 J'lem teens suspected of racially motivated assault against Arabs Previous Editions Select Day 12 may 11 may 09 may 08 may 07 may 06 may 05 may 04 may 02 may 01 may 30 apr 29 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 You - together making history 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