Lieberman demands cabinet take polygraph tests over leak to Haaretz
FM asks Shin Bet chief to summon for interrogation everyone who attended Sunday's security cabinet meeting.
By Barak Ravid Tags: Israel news Avigdor LiebermanForeign Minister Avigdor Lieberman is demanding that everyone who attended Sunday's meeting of the security cabinet undergo a polygraph test, in the wake of a leak to Haaretz of the substance of the discussion. Lieberman has asked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Shin Bet security service director Yuval Diskin to summon participants to a lie-detector examination.
The meeting was convened to discuss a withdrawal of Israeli troops from the northern part of the village of Ghajar, which straddles the border with Lebanon. It was held in the prime minister's office and was deemed highly confidential. Details regarding the substance of the meeting, however, were reported in Haaretz on Monday.
Sources at the Foreign Ministry said Lieberman brought up the issue on Monday at his weekly meeting with senior Foreign Ministry staff and appeared to be furious. They said he noted that he was late to the meeting because he was asking Netanyahu and Diskin to investigate the leak.
Lieberman reportedly told his staff that everyone at Sunday's meeting should take a polygraph test and said he hoped none of them was involved in the leak.
In addition to senior Foreign Ministry and the seven ministers in the security cabinet, the meeting was attended by senior figures from the Defense Ministry, National Security Council and the Israel Defense Forces.
It is not yet clear whether the incident will be investigated or whether anyone will be forced to take a polygraph test. The Prime Minister's Bureau issued a statement Tuesday saying that nothing had been finalized with Lieberman on the issue. Diskin's office, as well as that of Lieberman himself, declined comment.
This is not the first time that Lieberman has expressed concern over leaks. Four months ago, in the course of a session of the State Control Committee, Lieberman asked State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss to examine the matter of leaks from within the Foreign Ministry.
"Sometimes I read breaking news in newspaper headlines before they reach my desk," Lieberman complained, adding "there were leaks that caused serious damage to the security and political interests of Israel. It is impossible to continue this way without addressing this, and it is impossible to continue and say that [staff] has tenure and [there is] a union committee and that there is nothing to be done."
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Avigdor Lieberman is said to be furious after details of a security cabinet meeting were leaked to Haaretz. |
| Photo by: (Reuters) |
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stealing someone's identity only shows poor taste.
What is apparent is that the FM does not enjoy the confidence of his staff. That he chose to advertise this fact is far more "damaging to Israel" than leaks. As far as I can tell, there have been no stories leaks which indicated a breach of security; but the fact that Lieberman once again appears to be on the outs with somebody does not look good. Where is his sophistication? Confronting a staff that doesn't like you is like dropping cold water into a pot of boiling oil.
He'll be shooting the flies on the Knesset walls next!
Best start with the one inside your head.
On one hand you say: "Stop pretending that I am some kind of a control freak" and then, right next to it, you say: "i merely insist that you refrain from taking such an independent line...etc" Never mind the contradiction, but how much "independence" do you allow me?
THIS IS AN INSULT TO STALIN
Get whatever results or answers you want. Dick Cheney guarantees it. No need for anything else. Nearly Instant results!
And the answer is: Joseph Stalin.
Stop pretending that I am some kind of a control freak. i merely insist that you refrain from taking such an independent line on this forum where outsiders are looking in and your views give them succor.
Best start with the one inside your head.
I still can't wrap my head around Lieberman's appointment to represent Israel to the world. He is by far one of the ugliest most hateful Israelis ever chosen for the post. As a Jew and a Zionist I am ashamed as he falls short of every standard for a diplomat in modern history. Sorry but Lieberman does more damage to Israel and the Jewish people with every opening of his mouth.
Sounds rather Soviet to demand polygraph tests for government ministers. Or is it the fact that Lieberman is a paranoid extremist out to get his "enemies"!
of Mr Lieberman . It is good to know that same in Israel still have balls to face the adversities of the enemy . If not for such guys Israel should pack up .
Israel , throughout her short history , endured the danger of leaks endangering the security of the nation . Leaks must be plugged tightly .
Since the last thing I need is lessons about the Soviets, I should have used the word "mindset" instead of "approach". As about your "whether they (polygraphs) should be used in this case is not for me to say", I say OK, fine. Just let me, who wish to say something, do so.
Cabinet are serious about peace with the Palestinians.
I listen. Not all jews are pussys. I love jews but they need to be stronger against their enemies indeed!
While the Israeli media is more than happy to publicize embarrasing leaks (even those without any basis in reality) about US policies, or anonymous innuendos about "sensitive" discussions between Iran and the IAEA, Lieberman is not quite as thrilled when anything affecting Israeli policy is involved. Unfortunately in a democratic society (you do know what that is, Mr. Lieberman???), governments don't always have the control they'd like over leakers. Subjecting your cabinet members to polygraph tests probably won't tell you what you really need to know. What's next, an auto da fe for political heretics? The Beatles put it best: "Back in the USSR...." Oh, the Beatles were banned from Israel, right? (Another milestone in Israeli democracy.) Perhaps Lieberman got to hear them in the Soviet Union.
Huh? What does this have to do with this story?
If this happened regularly in the Israeli Cabinet as elsewhere, especially if ministers were questioned on crooked business dealings and the taking of illicit bribes, Cabinet ministers should feel obliged to have their lips sewn together before taking office. Lieberman the self admitted felon, and serial bully would certainly have more to fear than most. I therefore favour the implementation of regular random polygraph tests on all manner of issues relating to general probity, policy statements and corruption...only, not just 'security' so often cited in dishonest fashion as a method of denying embarrassing acts and statements.
of Israel gets his information the same as the rest of us in Haaretz. But putting a polygraph on a politician? What is that going to achieve?
The illegal state of Israel survives only because it resorts to lies and innuendo and deception. This is what you call being built on a shaky foundation.
Did Lieberman go to Brazil or Argentina or Cairo or Turkey , and he is suppose to be our F.M. No wonder he do not know what is going on in this country or the world ,BiBI it is time that you replace him.
For heaven's sake, who cares what Liebermen wants? He's incompetent and nobody listens to him anyway. Leaks to the press, of information of a not too particularly sensitive nature are a time honored tradition in Israel and in every other democracy in the world. It's not as if information on Israel's battle plans were leaked. Notice that nobody else that attended that particular meeting has complained. At the risk of disqualifying this comment from publication, Avigdor Lieberman proves yet again what an idiot he is.
Maybe Lieberman will finally realize that the reason he 'reads breaking news in headlines before they reach his desk'. Is that there are very few in the Foreign Ministry who respects or need his opinion on these matters... in the first place.
Mr Lieberman, a fairly recent immigrant, should not attempt to interfere with so time-honored an Israeli custom as cabinet leaks. Often, such leaks provide the citizenry with information important to their lives.
It matters especially when Israeli security is at stake. Only fools think this isn't important.
eBay is selling lie detector softwate for yout computer. IT WAS DEVELOPED IN ISRAEL. Fancy that! Does Lieberman know about this? Is he a stockholder?
a typical soviet approach would lead to the arbitrary arrest of all those who are considered enemies of the state, their torture, their forced confession and possibly their show trial and incarcaration in the gulag. lieberman simply wants to find out who leaked. polygraphs are accepted legal investigative tools. whether they should be used in this case is not for me to say.
Haaretz gets even! And how! In column three, ads galore for lie detectors, machines, how to, and experts! All for hire or sale! Time is 4:40 AM, USA CST. Wonder how long these will last before Lierberman gets wise? LOOL!
in any cabinet especially security decisions.Soldiers may die as a consequence.
How about the insult to all those who did NOT leak...
... as if instant polygraph tests are the only available means to run an efficient office... ... maybe leaks also signify widespread dissatifaction of staff and participants...
lieberman is right. leaking such sensitive information is endangering the state.
Top secret discussions should be kept secret. For some reason, politically motivated souls tend to leak and squeak. Bring in the polygraph staff ASAP.
Next step: sanction newspapers that publish leaked stuff.
The most dispickable person in the world is a sqealer.These cowards will sell thier children and do not care for anybody The press is partly to blame for promising rewards as a bright political future without advertising costs.Hope that Minister Lieberman is able to halt this sick phanomina in the confidential meeting rooms Liebermaan must check the corrupt politicians before all the workers !!!!!They are the filth of Israel and famous for the lies ,untruths,falsehood and deceit with the partners in the media.
i'm not suggesting he's the one or anything... but ummm...
I sure hope all of you are circumsized because that may be the next test. LOL!
Was this article published for a purpose other than to piss off Lieberman? I love it!