corruption

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, January 3, 2018. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

A Netanyahu indictment won’t save Israeli democracy

In Netanyahu’s Israel, checks and balances are irrelevant or corrupt, accountability is conspiracy, and a watchdog media is a national saboteur. Tough times are ahead. There has been no shortage of people who were thrilled by the announcement Tuesday night that Israeli police recommend indicting Benjamin Netanyahu in two corruption cases. A Haaretz headline crowed…

By Dahlia Scheindlin February 14, 2018

Tens of thousands of Israelis protest government corruption in Tel Aviv's Rothschild Blvd, December 2, 2017. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)

Tens of thousands protest Israel’s ‘Crime Minister’: Will it matter?

Nobody expected Saturday’s demonstration to be so enormous, but everyone was angry. Creative expressions of frustration were everywhere and demonstrators vowed to continue the protests — but what impact will they have? What started as a ripple on Israeli social media networks over the weekend burst out into a full-blown, massive demonstration against the government on Saturday…

By Dahlia Scheindlin December 3, 2017

Tens of thousands of Israelis protest government corruption in Tel Aviv's Rothschild Blvd, December 2, 2017. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)

Tens of thousands protest government corruption in Tel Aviv

Netanyahu is currently facing three separate corruption probes, and his political allies are promoting legislation to shield him from accountability. (Read Dahlia Scheindlin’s report from the protest.) By +972 Staff and Haggai Matar Tens of thousands of Israelis packed into Tel Aviv’s posh Rothschild Boulevard Saturday night to protest government corruption, as well as new legislation that would shield…

By +972 Magazine December 2, 2017

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Israelis protesting government corruption and threats to freedom of expression, Petah Tikva, June 3, 2017. (Screenshot)

WATCH: Hundreds of Israelis protest government corruption

At the beginning of June, hundreds of Israelis gathered in Petah Tikva to protest against the slow progress on investigations into government corruption, particularly the scandals surrounding Netanyahu, as well as against threats to freedom of expression. Read more: Civil society groups join forces to protect freedom of speech Netanyahu scandal exposes corruption in the…

By Social TV June 21, 2017

An ‘Israel Hayom’ employee hands out free copies of the daily newspaper in Jerusalem. (Nati Shohat/Flash90)

Netanyahu scandal exposes corruption in the Israeli press

The alleged dealing between Netanyahu and the publisher of ‘Yedioth’ reveals the driving force behind Israel’s biggest newspapers — a type of corruption that couldn’t exist in media outlets with truly independent journalists. By Shuki Tausig Israeli media this week revealed secretly recorded conversations between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the publisher of the country’s best-selling…

By The Seventh Eye January 8, 2017

File photo of former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert in court. (Photo by Activestills.org)

Why Israel’s former prime minister is going to prison (and why he’s not)

Ehud Olmert this week became Israel’s first former prime minister to head to prison. Here is a simple explanation of why, what legal troubles still await him, and the crimes for which he’ll never pay. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is going to jail — albeit only for 18 months. The Supreme Court shortened…

By Dimi Reider December 30, 2015

Ehud Olmert in the Tel Aviv District Court on the day of his sentencing. (photo: Activestills.org)

Former Prime Minister Olmert sentenced to six years in prison for bribery

Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was sentenced Tuesday morning to six years in prison on bribery charges in the biggest corruption scandal in Israel’s history. Olmert was convicted of accepting bribes in exchange for expediting the permit process for the Holyland real estate development while he was mayor of the city, years before his premiership. The…

By Edo Konrad May 13, 2014

Avigdor Lieberman (photo: Yotam Ronen / activestills)

Coming attraction: Liberman the peacenik

If a militant nationalist wants to get elected prime minister of Israel, he has to repeat the word ‘peace’ over and over. Unlike a lot of other leftists in despair over Liberman’s acquittal on Wednesday, I don’t think it’s a foregone conclusion he’s going to succeed Netanyahu as prime minister. I agree that he…

By Larry Derfner November 8, 2013

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman (photo: Yotam Ronen / activestills)

Liberman is acquitted of corruption, setting stage for return as foreign minister

The man who has become the symbol of ultra-nationalist trends and anti-democratic legislation is cleared of corruption charges, allowing his return to helm of the Foreign Ministry, which Netanyahu has been holding for him. Former – and most likely soon-to-be-reinstated – foreign minister Avigdor Liberman was acquitted of all charges stemming from a years-long corruption…

By Michael Schaeffer Omer-Man November 6, 2013

Avigdor Lieberman (photo: Yotam Ronen / Activestills.org)

Lieberman’s resignation: A small step backwards, a giant leap forward

Israel’s foreign minister will soon be able to put his legal troubles behind him. He will then renew his quest for the premiership from a much more favorable position. Israel’s foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, announced yesterday (Friday) that he will resign from his cabinet position due to the attorney general’s decision to try him for…

By Noam Sheizaf December 15, 2012

Nov 7: Whistle-stops and crooked cops

This is one of the rare days when all four of the Israeli dailies lead with completely different headlines. Haaretz leads with Netanyahu’s trip to the United States; the PM is “set to discuss a package of benefits in exchange for extending the temporary settlement freeze.” Senior administration officials slovenly remind his highness that the…

By Dimi Reider November 7, 2010