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Friedmann, Mazuz trade barbs over Ramon By Tomer Zarchin Attorney General Menachem Mazuz had harsh criticism for a proposal by Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann, who is seeking to appoint a committee to evaluate the police and state prosecution's conduct in the sexual assault investigation against former justice minister Haim Ramon. "I am strongly opposed to this proposal, which I believe misuses authority, contradicts proper governance, undermines the concept of checks and balances, and means the justice minister (and those supporting his initiative) are breaking the rules, in what appears to be part of a mission of revenge against the law enforcement authorities," Mazuz wrote in a legal opinion, which he gave the cabinet ahead of its deliberations at the Sunday meeting. Advertisement Mazuz called the proposal "excessive," questioning "whether it is really possible to accept that all actions, and this initiative, have nothing to do with the identity of the suspect in this case, and those who stand behind him." During the last month, Friedmann suggested the cabinet appoint a committee to evaluate the wiretaps used in Ramon's sexual assault trial. Under Friedmann's original proposal, the committee would examine the conduct of the law enforcement system at large, as well as in this specific case, and could make recommendations regarding both the entire system and individuals. Public Security Minister Avi Dichter opposed this proposal, so Friedmann offered a more limited version that deals only with the law enforcement elements under his authority. Mazuz said it was unprecedented in Israel for a politician to seek to appoint an investigation committee to examine "an investigation against a senior minister, a close friend and a political ally of the prime minister, who was convicted unanimously by the court and did not appeal the ruling." 'Could this be a vendetta?' Mazuz also said the decision to set up an inquiry committee, regardless of its consequences, was a threat for the enforcement authorities, "who are in the midst of an investigation into central government figures." Mazuz asked whether this could be accidental. "Does this have nothing to do with the identity of those involved? Could the public believe this is not a vendetta against the law enforcement system?" Mazuz called on the ministers not to lend a hand to this move. Friedmann responded yesterday that Mazuz had taken no steps against those involved in the wiretapping in Ramon's affair, even though the Knesset Constitution Committee had decided to implement Judge (ret.) Vardi Zeiler's recommendations and set up a government committee to examine the matter. Instead of cooperating with the committee's decision, Mazuz was criticizing the justice minister seeking to implement it, Friedmann said. Welfare Minister Isaac Herzog (Labor) told Haaretz yesterday that Labor intends to oppose Friedmann's proposal. If the affair were to be examined, if at all, it should be through the state comptroller, he said. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Video attack West Bank settlers tie Palestinian man to phone pole and beat him. A static future Iran's nuclear program remains unchanged despite economic incentives.

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