The word ‘corruption is becoming increasingly synonymous with Israeli politics and society, but one should not expect mainstream Western media to broadcast this. American mainstream media, in particular, rarely makes the rampant corruption in Israel a recurring topic in its coverage. This discussion often starts and ends within Israel’s media and intellectual circles.
Outside Israel, the mere mention of ‘corruption’ in relation to Israel is frowned upon, regardless of the context of that criticism. Holding Israel to account has never been regarded favourably in any case. Yet, the fact is that Israel’s ranking in the Corruption Perceptions Index has plummeted in recent years, as did the Israelis’ perception of their own leaders and political parties. Just last week, Israeli police visited the home of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the sixth time in recent months, questioning him over alleged corrupt dealings with wealthy benefactors. This is only one of several cases in which the Israeli leader and his wife, cousins, and other top aides are embroiled. Most telling is that the Israeli public is so accustomed to the idea of a corrupt political system, that as a whole, they no longer shape their political views and allegiances according to this realisation.
A recent survey conducted by Channel 10 TV concluded that if general elections are held today, Netanyahu will garner 28 per cent votes, while his closest contenders, Avi Gabbay of the Zionist Camp, and Yair Lapid of Yesh Atid, will each gather 11 per cent. Netanyahu’s alleged corruption differs from that of former Israeli prime minister, Ehud Olmert, in that the latter was corrupt the old-fashioned way. In 2006, he was found guilty of accepting bribes while serving as the mayor of occupied Jerusalem. In 2012, he was convicted for breach of trust and bribery — this time as prime minister. In 2015, he was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment.
These types of charges often remain largely confined to a person or two, thus limiting the nature of the conspiracy. Israeli and western media pundits used such prosecutions to make a point regarding the health of Israel’s democracy, especially when compared with its Arab neighbours.
Mafia operations
However, things are different under Netanyahu. Corruption in Israel is becoming more like mafia operations, roping in elected civil servants, military top brass, high-ranking lawyers and large conglomerates. The nature of the investigations that are closing in on Netanyahu points to this very fact as Netanyahu is embroiled in ‘File 1000’ — the prime minister and his wife accepted gifts of large financial value from a renowned Hollywood producer, Arnon Milchan, in exchange for favours that, if confirmed, required Netanyahu to use his political influence as the Prime Minister.
‘File 2000’ is the ‘Yisrael Hayom’ affair. In this case, Netanyahu reached a secret deal with the publisher of the leading Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, Arnon Mozes. According to the deal, Yedioth agreed to cut down on its criticism of Netanyahu’s policies in exchange for the latter’s promise to decrease the sale of a rival newspaper, Yisrael Hayom.
Yisrael Hayom is owned by pro-Israeli American business tycoon, Sheldon Adelson, Netanyahu’s close and powerful ally, until the news of the Yedioth deal surfaced. Since then, Yisrael Hayom turned against Netanyahu.
‘File 3000’ is the German submarines affair. Top national security advisers, all very closely aligned to Netanyahu, were involved in the purchase of German submarines that were deemed unnecessary, yet cost the exchequer billions of dollars. Large sums of this money were allegedly syphoned off by Netanyahu’s inner circle and transferred to secret, private bank accounts.
There is also the ‘Berzeq affair’ involving Israeli telecommunication giant, Berzeq, and Netanyahu’s political ally and friend, Shlomo Filber. Netanyahu was the minister of communication until he was ordered by the court to step down in 2016. According to media reports, his handpicked replacement, Filber, served the role of a ‘spy’ for the telecommunication powerhouse to ensure that critical decisions made by the government were communicated in advance to the company.
Corruption in Israeli society has become particularly endemic after the occupation of East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza in 1967. The idea that ordinary Israelis can move into a Palestinian house, evict the family, and claim the house as their own — with the full support of the military, government and court — exemplifies moral corruption of the highest degree.
It was only a matter of time before this massive corruption racket — military occupation, the settlement enterprise, and the media whitewashing of Israeli crimes — seeped back into mainstream Israeli society, which has become rotten to the core.
Ramzy Baroud is a journalist, author and editor of Palestine Chronicle. His forthcoming book is The Last Earth: A Palestinian Story (Pluto Press, London).
