MODERN DAY DREYFUS CASE

Israel's president Moshe Katsav has taken a suspension of his position, something he himself requested, in order to deal with what appear to be trumped up charges that he committed rape upon as many as eight female employees on his staff at various times in past years. And it's sad to say, but I think this is indeed a modern day Dreyfus affair. Katsav's speech tells a few very important things here, including how attorney general Menny Mazuz double-crossed him:

A first in modern Israeli history: The President of Israel vehemently condemned official national organs, saying they cooperated in targeting him because of his "outsider" status. At times his voice broke, and at other times he was furious with rage, but he showed conviction and firmness throughout his 50-minute speech.

Though the President has claimed innocence ever since the allegations of sexual harassment against him first arose shortly before the summer war with Hizbullah, he has never publicly explained his side of the events. In tonight's dramatic speech, he went further than ever before in doing so. Particularly noteworthy was his scathing attack against the media, addressing many minutes of his remarks directly to the reporters sitting in front of him.

In addition, he essentially accused Attorney General Menachem Mazuz of lying and double-crossing him. Katzav said that at one point, he and Mazuz held a secret meeting, yet it and its contents were leaked to the media. The President said he called Mazuz to consult with him, and Mazuz said he would neither confirm nor deny the reports. Katzav followed suit, saying publicly that he would neither confirm nor deny - and the next day he heard Mazuz submit a public statement in the Knesset confirming the meeting and its leaked contents.

The headlines blared that the Attorney General contradicted the President's public statement. "He did the opposite of what he had told me on the phone the day before! What was I to do? ... I decided to continue to practice self-restraint and not embarrass Mazuz - but, I admit, it was not only for that reason; I continued to remain silent so that I would not be accused of interfering with the investigation."

You can view the video here too, and read his whole speech at the above link. Out of the whole speech, I think I should note this here, which he tells to the elitists:

I know what bothered you - that six years ago I was elected President [defeating Shimon Peres]. You wrote at the time that it was the end of Zionism, etc. I should be ashamed of myself? You should be ashamed of yourselves for writing such things about a democratic vote in the legislature!

Well, it has been speculated by some that Shimon Peres may have had something to do with the harrassment of Katsav, in revenge for defeating him in the election back in 2000. But then, as some people wonder, did Ehud Barak, as incompetent as he may be, cast his vote in favor of Katsav? Assuming that Peres has anything to do with this, why should he be taking out his anger on Katsav when he's not the one to blame for his "troubles"?

---At this point, a Channel Two news anchor interrupted, and Katzav responded furiously:

You have talked for six months, and now it's my turn! No, you won't talk here! If you don't like it, you can get out! I was silent for six months, and now you don't want to hear the truth! Channel Two - yes, Channel Two, the same station that has been spilling my blood for six months! The same Channel Two that set an interview with the President of Israel for a specific day, and then just a day before the interview, decided to cancel it - and why? Because it decided that Muhammad Dahlan was more important to them than the President of Israel - that's the same Channel Two that doesn’t like to hear the difficult things I am accusing them of now.

Channel Two is one of the most bottom-of-the-barrel TV stations in this country, and the slam upon them is richly deserved. They don't deserve an audience, and should be shunned by one and all. I don't watch much TV today anyway. Let that be a lesson there, if you will, about how badly political corruption gets out of hand here. I wouldn't be surprised if that's been the case in Europe too, in some cases. They've certainly come close.