Just finished reading the 19-page Sara Netanyahu indictment. A few thoughts. 1. If it took the State Prosecutors office & Attorney-General 3 years to indict on a relatively simple fraud case. It will take years for indictments in Netanyahu's much more complex investigations. >>
2. The details are important but read them on @haaretzcom
The underlying picture of Sara, the mistress of a state-funded household being constantly informed she can't have whatever she wants and still finding fraudulent ways of getting her way is by now sadly very familiar. >>
The underlying picture of Sara, the mistress of a state-funded household being constantly informed she can't have whatever she wants and still finding fraudulent ways of getting her way is by now sadly very familiar. >>
3. A name is missing from the indictment. That of the prime minister's. Sara (&the senior official at the PM's office who conspired with her) weren't operating in a vacuum. There's something simply obscene in hanging all this on Sara & not Bibi. She's at fault, but he's the PM >>
4. The details of the meals ordered at the PM's residence, the payments for private chefs and waiters and the guests at those meals, are all backed up of course by documents. This case will stand or fall in court on whether or not Sara was aware she was commiting fraud >>
5. There'll be no lack of witnesses saying they made it clear to Sara that what she was doing is illegal. Her testimony in open court will be a devastating ordeal. Some may relish that. I don't think that with all we know about her issues, we should be crowing over her torment >>
6. For years there's been an atmosphere in the Netanyahu family and inner circle of sycophants that his leadership is absolutely essential to Israel. Netanyahu himself has called legitimate challenges to his leadership "coups". This has engendered a sense of total entitlement >>
7. Sara has said at various times that if Bibi wasn't PM he would be making billions in the private sector and that he is "sacrificing himself for Israel". In that atmosphere, what are a few meals, some champagne and cigars and pieces of jewelry? They're entitled to it all! >>
8. For all her many and well-documented faults Sara now deserves to have to face humiliation in court and quite likely a conviction for serious fraud (a plea bargain would make sense to save her the shame but she seems incapable of making the necessary acceptance of any guilt) >>
9. But Sara is not an elected politician or civil servant. The blame is Netanyahu's who as an elected leader fostered that sense of total entitlement around him. I have no doubt he deeply loves Sara but he is now throwing her to the wolves instead of taking responsibility. END
Two last thoughts on Sara Netanyahu's indictment: 10. In many democracies elected leaders have large household staff + expense accounts and ordering catered food for private meals is routine. But not every democracy (Scandinavians for example). Israel should try to stay humble >>
11. For all the limitations and shortcomings of Israeli democracy - in the last decade we've had a PM (fraud/bribery) and a president (rape) sent to prison. We now have a PM under multiple investigations and his wife indicted. Accountability shouldn't be taken for granted NOW END
