Whats the point in being honest ?

An excellent article appeared in a weekend edition of Haaretz back in February 2007. The main story in the weekend section that edition was not about a traditional political figure, but rather the Accountant General Yaron Zelekha. I urge you all to read this article. Its a little long, but well worth it. The article can be found here This article extols the honesty, integrity and dedication this man has given to the state.

Bibi Netanyahu in his blog post tells also of examples of how much he as been able to save the state, after appointing him to the position and the benefit to the country in having this man in this position.

His decisions have not made him popular (he was assigned a full time body guard due to the corruption he was uncovering and other such noble activities which made him such an easy target for Israeli politicos and other characters. (It was Zelekha who discovered the Bank Leumi scandal,in 2005, which implicates, amongst other people, our Prime Minister, Olmert.)

So, in today's papers, and online sites ynet, haaretz and others, it tells the story of how his contract is not being renewed.

The only person in the government who is taking political corruption seriously, including publishing a comprehensive anti-corruption plan, being a star witness against olmert in the Bank Leumi case and other major innovations within Israeli political circles, is being fired.

The Finance minister has decided not to keep on his employment. The State Prosecutor has stated that he will not intervene. The state comptrollers office has yet to make their decision.

The levels of corruption in Israeli politics is growing. According an article in the IHT in 2006, (I am sure there are more, but this is the first one i found, the last parliament, when Sharon was in power, was the most corrupt one ever. The main political players are still involved in politics now. We are suffering from a severe lack of ethical and moral leaders. This is meant to be the country which shows the others the way. Instead we can be more compared to the corrupt nations of the world, rather than the honest ones.

The political system is set up to fail the people. Its all about the party. How good you are in the party, how well the party perceive you. At the last elections, there were several good people, with good ideas for reform, who were all conveniently a little bit too low down on their lists to actually make a difference. Instead, the usual suspects were at the top. This is not change, it makes no difference who you vote for. It would take a landslide victory of 1 party in order to get new people, new ideas into Israeli politics.
Electoral reform is discussed every election, primarily amongst olim; those who came from representative based systems. Those from where the elected officials are responsible to the people they represent, not the party line they have to tow. There is Little incentive to work for the people if you don't directly represent them. So in order to get ahead, you need a few bribes here, a few favours handed out there. Every office seems to do it. Its all a "if you help me now, if i get this position, i'll help you" mentality. This is not the Israeli protexia, where having good contacts will get you almost anything you need, this goes far beyond it.


And the govt is getting rid of the man trying to stop the corruption.
I don't know what the public in Israel can do. I don't know if we have the ability to petition the government - saying that WE want him in the position. Telling them that WE want and need someone digging out the corruption within the system. We need to be able to trust our leaders. One of my colleagues at work mentioned today that for him, a bigger issue than security, is trusting the people who make those decisions. If all your choices are based on what stock options you need to get rid of, or what friends you need to tip-off before you make the decisions -- the person may have the experience, but are they really thinking of the country, or just the best way to line their own pockets.