One dark shadow that hangs over Israel and gives anti-Israel activists material to use in their arguments is the inherent corruption within the Israeli government. The fact that a former Prime Minister (Olmert) went to prison for corruption and the fact a former President (Katzav) was convicted of Rape is shame enough โ but the ongoing Netanyahu corruption trials as well as this most recent development within his party only serves to harm the reputation of the Jewish State.
The most recent embarrassment occurred just three days ago when the Likud party seemingly allowed a convicted felon, one who was accused of Burglary and Assault over ten years ago, to run for a seat in the Knesset. The fact there are no rules that prevent criminals from running is a shame, despite the argument that it shows how progressive the nation is by allowing โreformedโ criminals the same rights as law-abiding citizens. Truthfully, in the eye of Western Public Opinion, if there is no long-term consequence for criminal activity, the deterrent to participating in it is limited.
The political system continues preparing for yet another Election Day, which will take place on November 1. In the meantime, on Monday, just two days before the Likud primaries, the party's arbitration arm, known as the tribunal, allowed the candidacy of a once convicted felon, David (Doodoo) Laniado, who is running for the Dan District seat which encompasses Tel Aviv and the surrounding areas.
ื ืืง ืฉืืชื ืื ืืงืื ืืืชื ืื ืื ืชืงืื ืืืชื ืื ืงืืืฆื ืื ืฆืืช ืื ืงืืืฆื ืฉืชื ืื ืืช ืืืืื ื ืืื ืืืชื ืื ืฉืืื ืื ื ืืฆื ืื ืืื ืืงืจื ืงืืืฆื ืื ืฆืืช ืืืฆืืื ืืืฉืื ืื ืืืงืืช ืืื ืืฉืจื ืขื ืืืืืืช
โ shanie (@shanie330031) August 9, 2022
I call on the Likud officials not to vote for Dudu Laniado and also to vote for other and worthy candidates pic.twitter.com/O9e4iFQSFQ
Despite the ruling, however, Likud chairman Binyamin Netanyahu instructed the faction's ombudsman to file an appeal with the Tel Aviv district court against the approval of the party he is hoping to lead once more. Laniado was represented by attorney Uri Haberman from the Sharkon, Ben Ami, Asher & Co. office. Netanyahu, for his part, is still embroiled in multiple corruption cases that have yet to be resolved. As a result, his call to challenge the partyโs ruling was seen as petty and even tone-deaf since many do not think he should be allowed to participate until the resolution of his trials.
In the decision of the Likud tribunal, it is written that "after hearing the arguments of the parties, and especially the arguments of the Likud's legal counsel, and after examining the decision of the election committee, with all the desire not to interfere in the application of the committee, that we understand its considerations and prevention, we came to the conclusion that we cannot intervene in the election committee's decision and we state that there are no legal reasons to disqualify a candidate because of convictions for which the statute of limitations has passed."
At the same time, the tribunal called on Laniado to examine and consider the consequences of his candidacy, in light of his statement before the court that if he is convinced that his candidacy harms the movement's good, he will do the right thing on his initiative.
In true Israeli form of men not being held accountable for their abuse towards women until it is way too late, Likud primaries candidate Dudu Laniado has been convicted of violating house arrest to attack a woman. That was in 2010.
โ Tamar Uriel-Beeri (@TamarUrielBeeri) August 3, 2022
The chairman of the Likud's election committee, Judge Menachem Naaman, has already rejected Dodi's candidacy. In the decision, he said that "when the fact that Mr. Laniado was convicted of additional criminal acts was brought before us, it seems that I must rely on the will of the majority of the members of the election committee and order the disqualification of Mr. Laniado's candidacy to be the movement's candidate for the Knesset - and so I order."
The felon Laniado said in response: "The Likud is home as the largest party in Israel. Because of tonight's decision, a man who made a mistake many years ago corrected his ways and became a contributing citizen to society can represent his voters with respect and appreciation. The campaign against me in the media was full of lies and half-assed Truths to present a distorted image of me."
"Despite this, my spirit will not fall. As a member of Likud, I will stand to the right of the movement and to the right of the next Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, even if the winds are currently stormy. Through the Knesset of Israel, I undertake to give hope to every man and woman, who grew out of hardship and difficulty, were unjustly labeled, and overcame all difficulties. By becoming good, contributing, and law-abiding citizens."
Given the prospects that Likud will win 33 seats in the coming election, and many in the party who will be chosen for Cabinet-level positions within the government will resign their Knesset seats, Laniado, who is expected to be seated as 38 or 39 in the party will likely serve in the Knesset. This real possibility is a stain on Israel as much as it is to have a sitting Prime Minister amid multiple corruption trials and as much as it is to have several former leaders, Prime Ministers, and Presidents alike, having been convicted of felons and served prison sentences. However, Netanyahu promised that he will not enact the law (Norwegian Law) that allows Knesset members to resign their seat if chosen for a Cabinet role should Laniado win and placed in a position that will allow him to sit in the Parliament.
Netanyahu's Threat if Controversial Candidate Wins: If David Laniado is elected to the 38th spot on the Likud list, Netanyahu won't activate the "Norwegian Law" https://t.co/vbrzNIid39 ArutzSheva pic.twitter.com/6j3jISnDFi
โ Jewish Community (@JComm_NewsFeeds) August 9, 2022
The system needs to change for Israel to move forward. The shadow that hangs over the State because of the nefarious actions of their leaders only adds fuel to the anti-Israel activists who use facts like this to exploit bad sentiment against the Jewish State.
