Comment
by
IMRA Director
Dr. Aaron Lerner,

Sept. 16, 1999

I must share with you my disgust
over the reaction of Minister of Internal Security Shlomo Ben Ami
and others to the very serious police leaks regarding the
interrogation yesterday of former prime minister Binyamin
Netanyahu and his wife Sarah.

Once again, police investigators continuously leaked details of
their interrogations to the press.  The leaks included the news
that the many hours of interrogations brought Sarah Netanyahu to
tears - as if to say that this is some indication of guilt rather
than a natural reaction anyone could have - regardless of their
innocence or guilt - to the experience.

When complaints were voiced about the heavy leaks, obviously
designed to damage Netanyahu's name, to the press, Minister of
Internal Security Shlomo Ben Ami and others reacted by claiming
that there was no evidence that the police were the source of the
information. 

No evidence?  Here is how the front page story in today's
Ha'aretz' about the investigation begins:  'The police said last
night. . .'   Page two continues 'according to sources in the
police.'  Tonight on Channel One within moments of a reporter
saying that 'according to senior police source'  a senior police
officer appeared on the screen to repeat the claim that there is
no evidence of police leaks. 

Why are these people insulting our intelligence?  If Netanyahu has
violated the law then let the police investigate.  Investigate -
not leak. 

We have been on this route far too many times - that the police
investigators do a fantastic job leaking material to destroy
people's names but a lousy job developing evidence that actually
brings a conviction in court.

It also must be said that for SOME REASON the same fervor seen
both on the part of the police and the media to pursue this case
relating to an ex-prime minister and some unpaid bills is
mysteriously lacking with regards to the very serious charges that
have been raised about not only Prime Minister Barak's election
campaign financing but also the use of violent thugs by his
campaign.

Surely from a public interest standpoint, proper government
requires the exposure of the various interests that supplied
Barak's massive campaign slush funds.  I also shudder to think
what the next elections will look like if it turns out that the
employment of violent thugs by the Barak campaign is never
seriously addressed by legal authorities.

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