Jerusalem Post Nov 2007 report: Olmert voted most corrupt politician
Topic: world
As acting PM Olmert fronts his Cabinet decisions over the atrocities in Gaza and makes various claims and assertions including on Australian TV via his spokesperson Mark Regev (eg SBS interview prime time news in Sydney last night) it is sobering to read the right wing Jerusalem Post report below. Especially when combined with the Haaretz 2006-7 reports that 30% of Israeli society support a pardon for the goaled assassin of PM Yitzak Rabin, a criminal by the name of Yigal Amir. In effect endorsing expansion of Greater Israel by expelling Palestinians from their homeland.
In combination one can see a double game underway in Israeli geo politics. On the one hand promote creeping conquest by the 500,000 strong illegal squatter movement and the significant minority votes that brings. On the other hand to the Western countries as a victim country under existential risk acting in self defence. So far this cunning and confusing Israeli Govt PR strategy has been quite successful. Only the internet access to the real democratic debate both within Israel and within the region as well as reports on the ground are exposing the truth. The secrecy, the body count, the pattern of assassination of elected officials.
In our judgement the constant so called accidental and unintentional targeting of UN facilities and anyone else who dares speak up for the Palestinians in the open air prison in Gaza reveals the political reality. It's a murderous gangster type of information control of which the influential diaspora Jewry are either in denial or complicit in their silence:
Nov 7, 2007 20:14 | Updated Nov 7, 2007 23:17
Olmert voted most corrupt politician
By RUTH EGLASH
Even after sharing his personal health problems with the general public, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is still seen as the country's most corrupt government minister, according to a poll released Wednesday evening at the Sderot Conference for Society, which took place Tuesday and Wednesday in the southern border town. 
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
Photo: GPO
However, while coming out at number one last year, too, with 42 percent of those questioned saying that Olmert's public behavior was corrupt to very corrupt, this year more than half (56%) took that position.
Olmert had stiff competition for the number one spot, however, from former finance minister Avraham Hirchson, who allegedly took public funds for personal use. Hirchson came in a very close second with 55% saying he was corrupt.
Tied for third place were Vice Premier Haim Ramon, who was recently convicted of sexual harassment, and Minister of Strategic Affairs Avigdor Lieberman, with 33%. Sharing fourth place for the most corrupt government ministers were Defense Minister Ehud Barak (29%) and current Finance Minister Ronnie Bar-On.
The cabinet's only two women, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Education Minister Yuli Tamir, received a far more honorable standing, being labeled the most honest government ministers. Livni won the title last year, too. This year, 46% of those polled said they believed she was honest to very honest and 40% said the same about Tamir. Other government ministers considered to be honest were Transport Minister Shaul Mofaz (35%), Minister for Internal Security Avi Dichter (27%) and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor Eli Yishai (25%).
Kadima MK Tzahi Hanegbi, who won the title of most corrupt MK last year, is still viewed by many as corrupt. Hanegbi garnered 40% of the vote this year, followed by Likud party chairman MK Binyamin Netanyahu.
Those considered to be honest to very honest were MK Shelly Yacimovich (44%) and Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik (41%).
The annual corruption survey, which was conducted by the Maagar Mochot Interdisciplinary Consulting Research Institute, was based on a sample of 551 Israeli adults.
Posted by editor
at 11:39 AM EADT
Updated: Monday, 19 January 2009 11:52 AM EADT
