corruption

Publications Regarding corruption

Articles

Explainer

Official State Commission Sends Warning Letters in Submarine Acquisition Inquiry

The State Inquiry Commission on Naval Vessels was tasked with examining the decision-making processes at both the professional and political levels between 2009-2016 in relation to the acquisition of naval vessels during those years. 

Explainer

The New Rabbis Law Includes a Number of Inherent Flaws

Dr. Ariel Finkelstein warns that the proposed new "Rabbis Law" would weaken the standing of local communities, could lead to cronyism, reduce women's representation and more. 

Op-ed

The Missing Side of the Triangle: The Danger Religious Zionism Faces

Religious Zionism (the sector, not the political party that appropriated the name) is one of the most influential population groups in Israel. In the following essay, I wish to draw attention to a worrying process afflicting religious Zionism, the roots of which can be traced back to its early days and has dramatically worsened in recent years.

Article

What's A Commission of Inquiry? Explainer

A state commission of inquiry was established on January 23, 2022 to investigate Israel’s acquisition of submarines and other naval vessels. Earlier this week, it sent ‘letters of warning’ to Prime Minister Netanyahu and other senior officials. Dr. Dana Blander, a research fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute, explains the differences between Israel's various types of commissions of inquiry.

Article

What is “Incapacity” and what are the Implications of a Prime Minister’s Incapacity?

When is the Attorney General empowered to declare that the Prime Minister is incapable of fulfilling his duties? When does temporary incapacity become permanent? What has the Court ruled in the past about a declaration of incapacity concerning Benjamin Netanyahu?

Article

The Incapacitation of a Prime Minister: An Explainer

What provisions does Israeli law provide for the possibility of declaring the Prime Minister "Incapacitated". IDI expert explains

Article

Q&A: Plea Bargain Agreements

As former Prime Minister Netanyahu weighs the option of a plea bargain, IDI experts weigh in on the legal standing of such an agreement and its ramifications.

Op-ed

No More Shame - No More Responsibility

Now more than ever Israel needs a leader who will bolster its inner strength - is the leadership up to the task? 

Op-ed

The Rule of Law Over the Ruler

It's one of democracy's substantial achievements: just like every citizen, Netanyahu will stand before 3 judges, whose task is to decide whether he is innocent or guilty

Press Release

PM Under Indictment - A Dangerous Precedent

Allowing Netanyahu to form a government would constitute a conflict of interest and would result in a negative and irreversible precedent for the rule of law

Article

Prime Minister on Trial - Explainer

Prime Minister Netanyahu’s trial in the Jerusalem District Court is to begin on March 17th. Dr. Amir Fuchs, a researcher at the Israel Democracy Institute provides responses to key questions as to what this process will look like.

Op-ed

Israeli Voters - Not Judges

Israeli Voters, Not Judges, Must Determine Who Will Lead the Country Next

Op-ed

Remove Netanyahu Right Now on Grounds of Temporary Incapacity

There's an unacceptable, extreme conflict of interest between Netanyahu the accused and Netanyahu, head of the executive branch

Op-ed

Israel's Political Crisis and the Challenge of Populism

Actual policy making in a liberal democracy is based on sophisticated nuances.

Press Release

Statement by IDI on the Attorney General's Announcement

As events unfold, IDI puts out a statement on the Attorney General's breaking announcement to indict Prime Minister Netanayhau

Op-ed

How to Eradicate Government Corruption

Among other things, government corruption deals a blow to the country’s economic vitality, and makes it less attractive to investors and entrepreneurs.

Article

Everything you Wanted to Know About the Immunity Law

IDI experts provide an overview to the proposed Immunity Law that would grant members of Knesset automatic immunity from criminal prosecution

Press Release

Proposed Immunity Bill – Contempt for the Rule of Law

The current proposal conveys a harsh message of contempt for the rule of law and is in sharp contrast to the current trend in democratic countries

Article

Is Israel Approaching its Watergate Moment?

In an op-ed published in the Washington Post, Yohanan Plesner assures readers that, "Supporters of Israel's democracy at home and abroad should know that so far the checks and balances built into our young democracy are holding up in the face of serious pressures."

Article

Prime Minister under Investigation – A Guide for the Perplexed

The following guide represents the collective wisdom of the Israel Democracy Institute's scholars and explains the various possibilities and scenarios as Israel enters unchartered political and legal waters

 

Pre-Elections Survey

Special Elections Survey

The Jewish public is divided over the question whether the prime minister should resign if indicted by the Attorney General, pending a hearing; 52% of the Jewish public believes that Israelis living abroad should also have the right to vote

Op-ed

A Lethal Virus

"If indeed a member of the Judicial Appointments Committee was swayed by bribes, this constitutes the deepest possible subversion of the system and its legitimacy".

Podcast

Corruption: A Very Glocal Problem

Transparency International is among the most prominent global organizations fighting corruption through exposure, documentation and measurement.
Delia Ferreira Rubio, Chair of the organization, discusses the challenges, pitfalls and goals of their work, while Alona Vinograd of the Israel Democracy Institute brings the question of corruption home to Israel against the backdrop of a heated political stage.

Article

Beyond the Veil of Ignorance

One fact is clear: the moment the attorney-general announces his decision, half of the public will reject it, to the point of accusing him of serving political interests and not really seeking the truth.

Article

The Municipal Elections 2018: Digital Resilience

The digital domain has developed into something of a wild west for election campaigning in recent years. While there are strict laws governing the press, radio, and television, there are almost no restrictions on online campaigning, such as on the forms of advertising permitted, the use of personal data, and advertising budgets. This lack of regulation has already been shown to potentially affect election results, and may lead to the misuse of information on residents, routinely collected by the municipality as part of its function by those in positions of power in local government. 

Article

Understanding How Bibi's 'Gift Affair' Might Have Happened

In an interview Prof. Yuval Feldman, discusses his new book "The Law of Good People" and sheds light on the connection between good people and corruption.

Press Release

Will Trump’s Peace Plan Gain Traction?

The monthly Peace Index of the Israel Democracy Institute and Tel Aviv University, published today, finds that most Israelis think that Trump’s peace plan won’t gain traction and that the IDF should directly target ‘terror kite’ assailants.

Article

Netanyahu: Down, but Not Out

The Israeli prime minister faces many charges, yet his supporters remain behind him

Press Release

A Democracy in Flux

President Reuven Rivlin, Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked,Leader of the Israeli Labor Party Avi Gabbai and State Prosecutor Shai Nitzan relate to tensions surrounding the prime minister's investigations and the coalition crisis at a special conference held last night with Makor Rishon

Press Release

Survey: 56% of Jews Think Most Arab Citizens Support Temple Mount Attack

Monthly Peace Index also finds that 65% of Israelis do not trust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of the crisis on Temple Mount. 

Op-ed

Democracy at Risk

Citizens must lead the way in the battle against political corruption.

Press Release

IDI on the Graffiti on the Supreme Court: It is on the Prime Minister and party leaders to act to protect the Supreme Court

The Israel Democracy Institute (IDI) spoke out strongly against the graffiti painted on the Supreme Court building, discovered Nov. 4, and said it is a direct result of the slander that has been recently put out there against the court system by Israeli public activists. IDI stressed that it is the job of the Prime Minister and the parties to defend the rule of law. 

Press Release

Dealing with Corruption in the Municipalities

As investigations of mayors and other municipal leaders are on the rise in Israel, find out about IDI resources on the issue of corruption in Israel's local authorities.

Op-ed

The Holyland Sentencing and the Fight against Government Corruption

In an op-ed in <em>Haaretz</em> published after Ehud Olmert was sentenced to six years in prison, Prof. Mordechai Kremnitzer explores the implications of the Holyland case for the battle against corruption in Israel.

Op-ed

The Holyland Sentencing: A Faithful City?

In an article in <em>Makor Rishon</em>, Prof. Yedidia Stern describes his feelings of sadness, pride, apprehension, and hope upon the sentencing of Ehud Olmert to prison for his role in the Holyland affair.

Op-ed

The Struggle against Government Corruption

In an op-ed in <em>Haaretz</em>, Prof. Mordechai Kremnitzer discusses government corruption in Israel and the implications of the Holyland verdict for deterring such corruption in the future.

Op-ed

A Preemptive Strike on Iran: Who has the Authority to Decide?

As the world considers the threat of a nuclear Iran, Israeli public discourse has focused primarily on whether or not Israel should launch a preemptive strike on Iran's nuclear facilities. But who has the authority to decide whether a military operation should be conducted? In this article, IDI Vice President Prof. Mordechai Kremnitzer and researcher Eyal Tsur explore the strengths and weaknesses of the current division of responsibility regarding this matter, and recommend ways of improving the system.

Op-ed

Israel, A Unique Nation in the MidEast

How should Israelis feel about the Katzav verdict? In this article from <em>The Jewish Chronicle</em>, Prof. Vernon Bogdanor of King's College in London, a member of IDI's International Advisory Council, asserts that the outcome of the trial can be a source of pride, since the mark of a constitutional democracy is that no one is above the law. At the same time, however, he warns that Israel needs to develop a culture of self-criticism in light of recent trends in attitudes towards the Arab minority.

Press Release

50% of Jewish public Hesitant to Expand Settlement Construction, Even with Trump at Helm

In addition to questions about building in or annexing parts of Judea and Samaria, the Peace Index looked at aspects of the investigations of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, including trust in the police and in the attorney-general. In light of what has been revealed about conversations between Netanyahu and Yedioth Ahronoth publisher Arnon Mozes, the Peace Index looked at the public’s attitude toward Israeli media.

Books