Israel's Napoleon: Ehud Barak's lavish lifestyle under scrutiny in Israeli media

Yes that is all true, just not tat the expense of working people. It is furthermore vulgar a nd in poor taste during economic recessions. As a symbol of the Israeli government he needs to learn to comport himself with more class and discretion. Otherwise he risks becoming a laughing stock, and as such not to be taken seriously.

Just like Cincinnatus was unique, today's great men like him are also unique... Israel of the fifties and sixties was itself unique and indeed had lots of unique great (and modest) personalities (think of Begin). But even then, there was a future Dayan... Later however, Israel became a little America - copying all the bad things... It also copied many Soviet bad things... And unfortunately, it didn't copy much of the good things of those two world powers. (the Soviets respected and recompensed scientists, artists, sportsmen, chess champions, and generals (!), etc, in ways America never did). After all, would Barak stand out in America, now, for what is written in this article? Would he???

Where is the old Barak of the Sayeret Matkal fame? Did this guy eat him?

To a hero and politician? If not, then why is it not forbidden by law? Mr. Barak takes advantage because advantage is allowed. And because he believes it is his due. He is not Cincinnatus, indeed, quite the opposite. He is a man who grew up believing that being a good soldier allowed him to retire to riches as a politician. He did not come to this belief in his privilege by himself. He came to it because a nation who was created by men who soldiered out of necessity performed far better than those who do it as a profession. And those same men often served well in guiding that young nation. But neither was in most cases their life's ambition. To be a "good soldier" and a corrupt politician after they retired. That was then, when Israel could not afford riches. Now, Barak expects what he may take. Because Israel can afford riches, and has not realized that what makes a 'good' solider now is not what made Cincinnatus a great man.

Israel's top officials are expected to sleep in cardboard boxes under some bridge? Is that what we are getting at here? It would be interesting if one could take a virtual tour of the digs of the leader of all 195 countries in the world. We could see just where a long dining room table and a telescope fit into the scheme of things. Yohoo, King Abdullah! How long is YOUR dining table? I have seen one table on a tour of Elysee Palace that you could land an airplane on. Does that make Nick Sarcozy worthy of scorn? Geez, proletariates, worry about something important. Like the "use by" date of cough drops or something.

He nails it: Israelis are obsessed by such minutae because this allows them to ignore the greater corruption caused by the occupation and the settlements. So while I agree that this is a storm in a tea cup I would suggest that you miss the point of it i.e. if you take that obsession away from them then you take away their crutch. Because if they can't obsess about the inconsequential then they'll have to face up to The Big Picture, and they simply do not want to do that.

He has to spent all he can, next come the HAGE.... =)

I know making comparisons is dirty pool, but Begin, and Shamir, is spite of what some people might say, served their country well. You might disagree with their decisions, but they lived very modest lives. Menachem Begin z"l lived in a rented apartment all his life. He lived on his "salary". Some people still call him a "Fascist", but in fact he was likely one of the greatest "small d" democrats Israel has known. Shamir, who knows, or who cares where he lives and what he is doing, as it should be! Barak, I fear, lacks the above qualities.

This type of behavior was and will always be offensive to those of us in Israel, whether it be Jerusalem, Tel Aviv or other cities. It's typical of many ex-army generals who have connections to deal in arms and other shady deals.

stop the typical jewish self flagellation.Ehud Barak is one of the best Min of Derfense israel ever had. Or You want to replace him by amir peretz, who certainly has not the same life style but ..better not write it..

This is the norm for israeli politicians. They are entranced by money and power that is why there hasn't been a peace process.

It's really sad that at a critical point in Israel's life one of it's leaders has gone off track. Instead of being an example of modesty and integrity, he has become a self parody of the corruption of ego and power. Thanks for the article. We need to know.

Barak linked up with Netanyahu just to gain power and make money. His party has nothing to gain by following him. It will eventually disappear since there is no difference between Labour & Likud. What would be the point of voting for Labour ? The image of corrupt, rich, power hungry Israeli politicians will eventually put off people from donating to Israeli charities. As they say, charity begins at home !

Did Barak make his riches by creating a business or inventing some wiz-bang technology? No. He made it by parleying his political connections. He risked nothing. It was protektzia writ large. The notion that "he contributed much, thus he deserves much" is laughable.

Will you people grow up? WHO CARES what this guy owns! If he earned the money to buy it then he should be allowed to have it. This isn't some sort of communist country as much as some of you may still want that, where everyone should have the same mediocre junk. If a person is successful then they have earned the things that come with it. I'm not rich or even middle class, but I could care less what someone else owns. This petty behavior disgusts me. You all need to grow up for even caring about this.

the president doesn't own the white house. it belongs to the people.

I also dont like his present behaviour,not at all. However I do remember a wonderful commander from 1973, a wonderful fellow called Ehud Brog.Just listen to recordings from this war and you will get some idea of what at least once was. I think that he has lost his marbles a bit in "old age " but remind myself of the times when we were so appreciative of what he and others like him did way back in 1973. I for one will never ever forget,and perhaps this rant will convince others to see both sides of the coin. Lest we forget....

There are those that have done nothing for Israel and have more. Barak has done plenty and should be paid in kind.

I cannot agree more. It is the public to blame for donating food for the hungry, etc., and the MK's are laughing all the way to the bank.

... I do have a rather nice telescope. Meow. The US and much of the world are filled at the moment with expensive empty homes, a result of a mass hypnosis of riches without concience, politics without principle. But I would imagine that it is not unusual for the highest elected officials in a wealthy state have some perks. Has anyone toured the White House?

Being rich is not a crime it doesn't matter if your government minister or an ordinary citizen. If he is going abroad on diplomatic business at states expense then he must be given a budget which he will stick to and anything beyond that he pays for himself. If he wants to travel first class instead of economy he is welcome but the state will only contribute the cost of an economy ticket. If he wants to stay in a 5 star hotel fine but the state will decide where he can stay if he wants taxpayers to fund the trip. What the government should be doing though is when diplomats want to visit cities where there is an embassy such as Paris then unless they pay their own way they should stay at the embassy free of charge. Whatever his humble upbringing its a fact the man is very rich now and we shouldn't treat him as some kind of criminal because of it. If he wants to spend that money on a lavish lifestyle we should say enjoy the comforts your money brings.

So we are saying that everyone who has money has to only buy approved "toys" even if he or she can afford it. Come on. If it is his own money then he can spend it as he wills - I have an expensive telecopse and would love an "exclusive" one but I dont have that kind of money so no, my limits, but if I did, would it be a crime to buy one? As long as it is his money he spends, he earns. Shall we investigate all the expenditures of all civil servants or public figures and give them limits on their own money and hobbies. this smacks of jealousy. Private money is one thing - the spending of public money a very different matter. If only we had.........

Why are you singling out only Barak? Hes just a symptom of what has been happening to Israel's leadership. The "Entitlement", the "No Shame", using Gov. connections to advance oneself personally, the living large on the tax payers back, etc. BUT, its US, the quite majority of this country, that's to blame, we've put up with this, way too long....We need to throw these bums out and REVAMP the entire system and FAST..Otherwise, we wont be here!!!

This the prelude to throw Barak under the bus and blame the whole disastrous Gaza debacle on him. Brilliant.

i support him. why people lives only for solving problems. he likes luxury and i like too.

As an older kibbutz member barely making a minimum wage you can imagine how it disgusts me to read this article. That is the new Israeli leadership (come on its not only Barak) behaving like oliarchs. Do you people have no shame to live crazy lifestyles where enough is not enough, while the majority struggles to make the end of the month?

How disappointing that even a man as smart and courageous as Ehud Barak fell prey to his supersize ego and the entrapments of money and power. Israeli politics evidently contaminates all that touch it with evil in one or other form, it's high time that the leaders of the Jewish state should listen more to the wisdom of the Torah instead of the whispers of the snakes in their souls and around them.

Nice try guys. You've almost got it. Try "King Ehud I", who has now been followed by pompous fellow felon King Ehud II.