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Israeli Politics in Turmoil

Netanyahu Not Indicted, but Not Exonerated Either

Spotlight ON Middle East

Muslehuddin Ahmad
****The political situation in Israel remains destabilised as opposition has gone to the High Court on appeal with the prayer for turning down Attorney General's decision not to indict Netanyahu. Netanyahu remains shakily defiant
Netanyahu seemed to have made a mess of peace .and politics in Israel in the quickest possible time — only 11 months in the office. He showed contempt to Oslo peace agreement, defied international opinion and finally turned deaf ear to US advice against settlement while ordering construction of houses for Israelis as Har-Homa. a hill top in East Jerusalem that belongs to Palestinians. He was also fully aware of what would be the obvious reaction of Palestinians on his decision and resultant loss of lives; he however, could not careless.
His defiant attitude and the latest loaded and extremely clumsy decision to dole out favour to buy political support caused "political earthquake" in Israel. He appointed a political crony. Roni Bar-On as Israel's Attorney General under an alleged deal that Bar-On would bring to an end the corruption trial that Shas Party leader Aryeh Deri was facing in return for Shas Party's political support in the cabinet and in the Knessei. Israeli Television (Channel-I) reported that Deri assured Netanyahu that if Bar-On was appointed as Attorney
General his party would support Netanyahu's agreement with Arafat to pull out of Hebron.
Roni Bar-On's appointment created uproar in Israel's political circles as he was considered unqualified for the post and he had to resign after 12 hours. Israeli TVs story on the episode led to police investigation for 12 weeks resulting in a 995-page report that recommended indictment of Justice Minister. Netanyahu’s top political aide and Aryeh Deri, Shas Party leaders. One report said, police recommended indictment of Netanyahu but another report said, police did not specifically recommend but said. Netanyahu "did some puzzling things” in the matter and left the issue of Indictment of Netanyahu to the State Attorneys Ms Arbel.
State Attorney Ms Arbel and Attorney General Rubinstein examined long police report and pondered over It for a couple of days — and on Sunday. April 20, Attorney General announced his decision not to indict Netanyahu saying that 'police recommendations to inaict him were based on Insufficient evidence'. "After weighing the evidence we have concluded that we do not have enough
proof to charge the Prime Minister". Attorney General, however. said that 'Prime Minister's conduct has been bewildering; doubts and suspicion remain. There were doubts about motives and testimony," he added. He also talked about the "black box” which was still not in hand. Despite all doubts, suspicion, black box. etc.. Attorney General decided to close Prime Minister's file. This seemed somewhat surprising. When he himself talked about the "black box" which, once in hand, could provide real proof towards Netanyahu's involvement or Innocence in the matter. the discussion not to pursue Netanyahu s case indeed closed that option. It was also puzzling that nothing was known about Roni Bar-On's nomination or candidature — nobody could say how his candidature came up.
However. Deri kept on insisting as the reports indicate that Netanyahu must live up to his commitments whicn means Netanyahu gave Deri some commitment on this appointment. This also Indicates that it was Deri who initiated Bar-On's candidature — may be verbally and accordingly only Netanyahu would know it as nothing written was available.
Probably this is what Attorney General meant when he talked about the "black box". Therefore. unless this "black box" mystery was solved, the closure of Netanyahu's file seemed premature. It is also true that unless definite proof was on record there could not be an indictment. The only option could have been to wait and continue the search for the "black box". Of course, this would have created more turmoil in Israeli political situation including desertion of coalition partners leading to Netanyahu's fall.
In any case, the political situation in Israel remains destabilised as opposition has gone to the High Court on appeal with the prayer for turning down.Attorney General's decision not t° indict. .Netanyahu., Netanyahu remains shakily defiant. His once 1 gleaming .glossy face looked somewhat pale in the press conference following Attorney General s announcement; his voice sounded subdued. He said his position was vindicated though he admitted that mistakes were committed. One still does not know whether that mistake bordered a criminal act. He blamed the opposition who. he added, pumped up the charges
which fell by the wayside'. He said, the coalition would hold which seemed true; so far no desertion. He also said that the opposition did not like his mission to maintain unity of Jerusalem. Apparently, he was trying to whip up the passion of Israelis on the issue of undivided Jerusalem.
Irrespective of what Israeli High Court decides on opposition's appeal on Attorney General's decision on Netanyahu. Deri’s indictment and subsequent trial would continue to haunt Netanyahu as the "black box" might show up at some stage of the trial of Deri — the chief villain. Undoubtedly, the opposition would continue to pursue Netanyahu's case as this happens to be a majoi opportunity for them. As the Israeli society is. Netanyahu might have to pack up well before Tils term expires. However. Netanyahu is a person not to give up easily: he would fight tooth and nail to the last. Thus Israeli political situation would remain overshadowed by Court-trials and opposition onslaughts and desertion threats. This would make Netanyahu less effective in his office.
The US may not lend any support to Netanyahu as he
openly showed disrespect to the wishes of the US Administration on Har-Homa housing issue and brought the peace process to the brink of collapse. Undoubtedly, as over 90 per cent of Israelis are in favour of peace, with Labour Party in power the implementation of the peace agreements would have hopefully gone well and the negotiations of Jerusalem would have started on schedule. In any case. Har-Homa disaster that brought peace process to a halt and cost so many lives would not have occurred.
Palestinian Authority has rightly termed Netanyahu-Deri episode as Israel's internal affair and kept off it. There was also lull in the Intefada-Uke demonstrations against Har-Homa settlement. TTiough' secu-rity cooperation between Palestinian and Israelis security forces is still in abeyance, the Palestinians appear to be ready to engage in peace negotiations. It is a good sign. Peace momentum, even though painfully slow, must be maintained. The process has just begun. The territories lost in six days in 1967 war may take another six years to regain and that also may not be In full; the losses are hardly recovered in full.