2014-05-03 Israel: Rafi Rotem Archive - Fighting Corruption: Index of records

Index of records

Israeli Tax Authority whistleblower Rafi Rotem exposed organized crime in government: Huge tax breaks to tycoons and crime figure related businesses, sex bribes, and murder of a "source". Rotem has been subjected to harassment, intimidation, and retaliation over the past 12 years. He lost his job, his home, his possessions.

The corruption exposed by Rafi Rotem was described by former Attorney General Manny Mezouz as the closest to organized crime in government.

The case is described by senior journalist Amnon Dankner as the worst case of miscarriage of justice he has seen in his long career as a journalist, where all institutions of the justice system gang up on an honest person to trample him and destroy him.

Recently, his case has become a cause of the Israeli Protest movement and journalists, as a key case in fighting government corruption.

On April 29, 2014 letter from the Israeli State Ombudsman's office, for the first time after 12 years, his office agreed to take Rafi Rotem's evidence and testimony, and started process to restore his financial rights as a wrongfully terminated State employee.

The case shows that concerted efforts of journalists and the Israeli Social Protest movement can stand up to a State, where the justice system went astray.

Many of the documents are translated into English for the first time in this archive.

קישור Link	שם המסמך Record	תאריך Date [yyyy-mm-dd]
http://www.scribd.com/doc/219114386/	רפי רותם - ציר הזמן Rafi Rotem - Timeline (full English text)	0000-00-00
http://www.scribd.com/doc/220959242/	האחים ברזני: שותפים השקטים_YNET	2002-09-03
http://www.scribd.com/doc/220952396/	צביקה דגן: "כשאתה עושה סדר, אתה דורך על יבלות אנשים נפגעים"_גלובס Dagan: “When you make order, you tread on people's toes”_Globes	2002-08-15
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218820933/	רפי עמיאל נוכח בחגיגה להיבחרה של ענבל גבריאלי לכנסת_מעריב Rafi Amiel was present in a celebration for the election of Inbal Gavrieli as Knesset Member_Maariv	2002-12-23
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218815918/	חוות דעת תקופתית על רפי רותם ע”י רפי עמיאל מנהל מחלקת חקירות ארצית רשות המסים Periodic evaluation letter for Rafi Rotem by Rafi Amiel, National Investigations Unit Director, Tax Authority	2002-09-01
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218819136/	תשובת משרד המשפטים לתלונתו של רפי רותם Response by the Ministry of Justice in re: Rafi Rotem's complaint	2003-10-12
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218817281/	פניית רותם לשר המשפטים מר טומי לפיד בנוגע לשחיתות ברשות המסים Rafi Rotem's letter to Minister of Justice Tommy Lapid, in re: corruption in the Tax Authority	2003-09-17
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218814848/	המלצת משטרת מסובים על רפי רותם Recommendation letter for Rafi Rotem - Israel Police - Mesubim	2003-10-27
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218811896/	תעודת הוקרה לרפי רותם ממשטרת ישראל ימ"ר דרום Appreciation letter for Rafi Rotem by Israel Police - Southern District	2003-08-14
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218845485/	אי אם אס אלקטרוניקה: הודעה על דחיית מועד קיבול לבורסה לנ"ע IMS Electronica: Notice to the Tel Aviv Stock Market	2004-01-01
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218819549/	עדות במשטרה של רפי עמיאל - מנהל מחלקת חקירות ברשות המסים Rafi Amiel's testimony. National Investigations Unit Director, Tax Authority	2004-06-06
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218815617/	המלצת משטרת נתניה על רפי רותם Recommendation letter for Rafi Rotem - Israel Police- Netanyah	2004-05-13
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218814396/	תעודת הוקרה לרפי רותם ממשטרת ישראל ראש העין Appreciation letter for Rafi Rotem by Israel Police - Rosh Ha-Ain	2004-00-00
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218813625/	תעודת הוקרה לרפי רותם ממשטרת ישראל ימ"ר ת"א- פרשת רצח השופט עדי אזר Appreciation letter for Rotem by Israel Police- Intelligence Unit, Tel Aviv – case of murder of Judge Adi Azar (full English translation)	2004-12-01
http://www.scribd.com/doc/220960256/	הוראות לנאמן_עו"ד אייל רוזובסקי	2005-03-20
http://www.scribd.com/doc/220941067/	גיל ואלדר חוזרים: ירכשו השליטה בבסר אירופה ב-100 מיליון שקלים Gil and Eldar are back: Will acquire Beser Europe for NIS 100 millions	2005-03-30
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218811365/	תעודת הוקרה לרפי רותם ממשטרת מחוז ת”א Appreciation letter for Rafi Rotem by the Tel-Aviv Police	2004-04-20
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218815285/	המלצת משטרה מרחב איילון על רפי רותם Recommendation letter for Rafi Rotem - Israel Police - Ayalon District	2005-01-18
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218836517/	רותם נ רשות המיסים בביה"ד לעבודה ת"א 5883/05 פרוטוקול מאת השופטת ורדה סאמט Rotem v Tax Authority in the Tel Aviv Labor Court 5883/05, Protocol by Judge Vardah Samet	2005-06-16
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218841176/	רותם נ רשות המיסים בביה”ד לעבודה ת"א 5883/05 - החלטת השופטת ורדה סאמט לעניין "הכשרת ראיות" רשות המיסים Rotem v Tax Authority in the Tel Aviv Labor Court 5883/05 - Decision of Judge Samet in re invalidity of evidence filed by the Tax Authority	2005-07-07
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218816488/	רותם נ רשות המיסים בביה"ד לעבודה ת"א 5883/05 - תצהיר עו"ד דפנה קירו כהן-התנועה לאיכות השלטון Rotem v Tax Authority 5883/05 in the Tel Aviv Labor Court - Affidavit of Attorney Daphna Kiro-Cohen, Israel Quality Government Association	2005-07-28
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218818291/	זימון רותם ע"י יאח"ה למסירת עדות מפורטת על פרשת רשות המסים Invitation or Rotem by Israel Police National Investigations Unit to provide detailed testimony in the Tax Authority Affair	2006-01-03
http://www.scribd.com/doc/221679231/	רותם רפי נ' משרד האוצר - רשות המיסים- עב' (תל-אביב-יפו) 5883/05 - פסק דין מאת השופטת ורדה סאמט Rotem v Ministry of Treasury-Tax Authority (5882/05) in the Tel Aviv Labor Court – Judge Vardah Samet's Judgment	2006-03-09
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218837403/	הנפקת גיבור ספורט_דה-מרקר IPO of Gibor Sport_TheMarker	2006-08-28
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218802769	מכתב 15 בכירים ברשות המיסים לועדת הכנסת ומבקר המדינה Letter by 15 senior Tax Authority employees to the Knesset and State Ombudsman (full English translation)	2007-02-12
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218821592/	פרשת שוחד מיני ברשות המסים_מעריב Sex bribing affair in the Tax Authority_Maariv	2007-03-16
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218845727/	להציל את כבודנו כחברה - אמנון דנקנר_ מעריב Saving our honor as society_Maariv (full English translation)	2007-04-00
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218838958/	גיל ואלדר חוזרים לעניינים _ גלובס Gil and Eldar are back in business_Globes	2007-04-16
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218843694/	אישור יאח"ה על קבלת תלונתו של רפי רותם נגד השופטת ורדה סאמט Certificate of filing a complaint by Rafi Rotem against Judge Samet with the Israel Police	2007-06-21
http://www.scribd.com/doc/220938014/	תיק רפי רותם" העדים שלא העידו_גלובס The Rafi Rotem file: The witnesses, who never took the stand_ Globes (full English translation)	2007-10-02
http://www.scribd.com/doc/220948916/	תרשים מערכות הקשרים העיסקיים והמשפחתיים -של השופטת ורדה סאמט Schematic diagram of Judge Vardah Samet's family and business relations	2008-00-00
http://www.scribd.com/doc/220944733/	אישור בדבר הגשת תלונה_משטרת ישראל Certificate of filing a complaint with the Israel Police	2008-08-30
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218822720/	כך ייעשה לקצין המכס שחקר שחיתות_ידיעות False arrest of Rafi Rotem_Yediot	2008-02-19
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218822118/	מכתב תשובת שר האוצר רוני בראון בנוגע להטרדה המינית Response by Minister of Treasury Ronny Baron, in re: Sex harasssment	2008-11-10
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218795801	רותם נ סאמט ואח', בג"ץ (1233/08)- כתבים מקוונים והחלטת השופט אדמונד לוי Rotem v Samet et al (1233/08) petition in the High Court of Justice – Online Records and Justice Edmond Levy Judgment and Decision	2008-04-08
http://www.scribd.com/doc/220943846/	איתן שרעבי נ חב' עזרה ובצרון בע"מ (בג"ץ 3636/09)	2009-08-16
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218842681/	שוקי משעול נ רשות המיסים, ביה"ד לעבודה ת"א - פרוטוקול מאת סגנית הנשיא חגית שגיא Mishol v Tax Authority in the Tel Aviv Labort Court - Protocol by Judge Sagi	2009-05-20
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218839863/	צילום כרטיס ביקור של עו"ד חיים סאמט בעלה של השופטת ורדה סאמט Business card of Attorney Haim Samet, husband of Judge Vardah Samet	2009-11-29
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218826051/	משטרת ישראל נ רפי רותם, בימה"ש שלום ת"א, פרוטוקול מאת השופט דן מור Israel Police v Rotem in the Tel Aviv Magistrate Court, Protocol by Judge Dan Mor	2010-01-27
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218824426/	צלום : ידיו החבולות של רפי רותם Photograph of Rafi Rotem's bruised hands	2010-01-26
http://www.scribd.com/doc/220960768/	מדינת ישראל נ יורם קארשי בבית המשפט העליון ( ע"פ 8430/11) - פסק דין State of Israel v Yoram Karshi in the Supreme Court (Crim App 8430/11) - Judgment	2012-02-15
http://www.scribd.com/doc/220942152/	"לא מנצלות את משרתן או השפעתן" Not exploiting their position or influence	2012-03-27
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218823164/	מעצרו של רפי רותם בבית סוהר - במקום בבית מעצר. False imprisonment of Rafi Rotem, instead of detention	2012-01-10
http://www.scribd.com/doc/221433319/	מדינת ישראל נ רפי רותם (1074-02-13), בית המשפט השלום ת"א – כתב אישום State of Israel v Rafi Rotem (1074-02-13) Tel Aviv Magistrate Court - Indictment	2013-01-31
http://www.scribd.com/doc/220946381/	השופטת ורדה סאמט – מכתב רותם לשרת המשפטית ציפי ליבני Judge Vardah Samet – Rotem's letter to Minister of Justice Tzipi Livni	2013-06-30
http://www.scribd.com/doc/220945497/	השופטת ורדה סאמט_רותם Judge Vardah Samet, by Rafi Rotem	2013-05-20
http://www.scribd.com/doc/220943259/	בג"ץ יכריע: זכות הטיעון או משיכת זמן_כלכליסט	2013-07-21
http://www.scribd.com/doc/220942152/	מפרקליטות המדינה למשרד פרטי From the State Prosecution to private practice	2013-03-06
http://www.scribd.com/doc/220940178/	דרישה לבדיקת התנהלותה של השופטת ורדה סמט ע”י היועמ”ש_אומץ Demand for investigation by Attorney General of Judge Varda Samet's conduct_Ometz Assoiation	2013-10-08
http://www.scribd.com/doc/220939595/	תלונה נגד השופטת ורדה סמט_אומץ Complaint against Judge Vardah Samet_Ometz Association	2013-10-08
http://www.scribd.com/doc/220938508/	אחרי 45 שנה: “אלוף התפייסות במסלול ירוק" יוצא לפנסיה_מעריב After 45 years: “Green line catches champion” retires_Maariv	2013-04-11
http://www.scribd.com/doc/220935788/	גל סוקולובסקי - תאור החלטותיה של השופטת ורדה סאמט Description of Judge Samet's Decisions_ Sokolovsky	2013-10-09
http://www.scribd.com/doc/220934518/	מכתב 44 העיתונאים בפניה למבקר המדינה לתת לרפי רותם הגנה Letter by 44 journalists to State Ombudsman to provide Rotem protection (full English translation)	2013-12-19
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218831926/	אין שופטים בירושלים_מעריב No justices in Jerusalem_Maariv	2013-10-04
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218826818/	מעצרי שווא חוזרים של רפי רותם_מעריב Repeat false detentions of Rafi Rotem_Maariv	2013-05-31
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218824070/	בקשה להוצאת צו מעצר רפי רותם - משטרת ת"א Request for detention of Rafi Rotem - Tel Aviv Police	2013-10-25
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218808147/	ראיון עם היועמש"מ מני מזוז_הארץ Interview with former Attorney General Manny Mezouz_Haaretz	2013-06-07
http://www.scribd.com/doc/220937086/	גל סוקולבסקי, פוסט בפיסבוק על השופט אדמונד לוי ביושבו בבג"ץ במשפטו של רפי רותם Justice Edmond Levy in Rotem's case_Sokilovsky	2014-03-19
http://www.scribd.com/doc/220230604/	בקשת רפי רותם לנשיא בית המשפט העליון אשר גרוניס לקבלת העתק חתום ומאושר של ההחלטות בבג"ץ רותם נ סאמט ואח', בג"ץ (1233/08) Rotem's request for signed and certified copies of decisions in High Court of Justice Petition (1233/08) (full English translation)	2014-04-23
http://www.scribd.com/doc/220236900/	רפי רותם מבקש מנשיא בית המשפט העליון החלטות חתומות ומאושרות בעתירתו ISRAEL: Tax Authority whistleblower Rafi Rotem asks the Supreme Court for signed, certified decisions in his petition (full English text)	2014-04-25
http://www.scribd.com/doc/221290433/	מכתב תשובה של מבקר המדינה לעיתונאים State Ombudsman's response letter to 44 journalists (full English translation)	2014-04-28
http://www.scribd.com/doc/221265439/	מכתב מבקר המדינה לעורך דינו של רותם State Ombudsman letter to Rotem's attorney (full English translation)	2014-04-29

2014-05-02 Hello world!

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2014-05-02 UK: US lackeys with No Freedom of the Press

The Coward Rusbridger

By Craig Murray
May 01, 2014 "ICH" --The actions of the Guardian in complying with the demands of the security services to destroy the computers containing Snowden’s revelations were cowardly in the extreme.  There was a principle at stake here.  The existence of other copies elsewhere is not the point.  That does not make the hard drive destruction better, any more than  Nazi book-burning was made OK by the existence of other copies of the books.

Freedom of the press has only ever been won by extremely brave journalists willing to be beaten, imprisoned or jailed for it.  If editors had always given in to legal threat, there would be no freedom of the press now.  That is why the Guardian’s pathetic excuse that it was legally compelled to destroy the hard drives is of the essence. States always have the sanction of law: standing to advance freedom has always meant not being intimidated by law.

I was threatened with the Official Secrets Act if I insisted on exposing the use of intelligence from torture.  I considered and decided it was worth going to jail for.  I published.  Jack Straw backed down.  The difference between Alan Rusbridger and I is that one of us is not an abject sniveling coward.*

The Guardian not only destroyed the Snowden hard drives, but spent an entire month hiding the fact from the public.  They only came clean and published after the arrest of David Miranda led Glenn Greenwald to refuse to keep it quiet any longer.  Remember this is the same newspaper which sent the  young and extremely brave whistleblower Sarah Tisdall to prison rather than protect their source.

Now Rusbridger p0ses as though smashing the computers was an act of defiance.  I couldn’t resist a comment on this appalling piece of hypocrisy in the Guardian thread below that link.

Then something extraordinary happened.  A reply defending the Guardian was posted to my comment, and this reply extremely quickly gathered 232 recommends.  Now the next highest number of recommends for any comment on that thread is just 57.  That 57 recommend comment is on the main subject of the article – the fall in the UK’s rating for freedom of the press.  My comment is tangential to the article, and the reply to it is somewhat banal.  The vastly disproportionate “recommends”  for that reply are as believable as the 97% vote in the Crimea!

There was a time when the Guardian was something more than just another neo-con mouthpiece.  Now its business model depends entirely on racking up internet clicks in the United States and this influences its content.  It has run, for example, over two dozen extremely one-sided articles in praise of the vicious American murderess Amanda Knox.  It seems increasingly devoted to Israel.  I was at the time genuinely shocked by The Guardian’s refusal to publish the true facts of all the meetings between Liam Fox, Matthew Gould and Adam Werritty.

I understand now that Rusbridger is entirely a neo-con tool, and that their efforts with Assange, Snowden and Greenwald were no more than control and channeling, and broke down when that became obvious. 

*There are other differences.  I don’t wear a wig, and I was not implicated in promoting and defending Tony Blair.

Craig Murray is an author, broadcaster and human rights activist. He was British Ambassador to Uzbekistan from August 2002 to October 2004 and Rector of the University of Dundee from 2007 to 2010. http://www.craigmurray.org.uk/

2014-05-02 ISRAEL: After 12 years of abuse, Tax Authority whistleblower Rafi Rotem wins the right to be deposed by the State Ombudsman

As is the case in the United States, retaliation against whistleblowers in Israel is a cardinal sign of the collapse of of civil society. Through the tenure of three State Ombudsman, former Tax Authority Senior Intelligence Officer Rafi Rotem was denied protection and suffered severe retaliation, while the authorities refused to adequately investigate what was described by the former Attorney General as the closest case to organized crime in government.  Concerted, focused efforts by the Israeli Social Protest movement and journalists led to a breakthrough this week.

Rafi Rotem, former Israeli Tax Authority Senior Intelligence Officer, and whistleblower of organized crime in government.

____

OccupyTLV, May 1 - In a major breakthrough this week, Israeli State Ombudsman, Retired Judge Yosef Shapira sent letters to whistle-blower Rafi Rotem's counsel, [1] and to a group of 44 journalists, [2] consenting to start reversal of the abuse and recalcitrance of the Israeli justice system in view of Rotem's whistle-blowing of organized crime in the Israeli Tax Authority.

The letter to Rotem's counsel states that Rotem will be permitted to deposed by the State Ombudsman's office regarding allegations of organized crime in the Tax Authority.  For months, Rotem tried to be admitted to the State Ombudsman's Tel Aviv office during public hours.  So far, office security personnel denied him the right to enter at all times.  In one instance, security called police, and Rotem was led away from the office in handcuffs and foot chains. However, in recent months, Rotem's right to be admitted to the State Ombudsman's office during public hours has become the focus of action by the Israeli Protest Movement through weekly protests on location.

The letter to 44 journalists comes in response to a letter by the same group of journalists in December last year. [3]  The journalists, mostly ones who cover financial and legal matters, noted that the current and former State Ombudsmen stated a number of times in public appearances that Rotem acted honestly to expose corruption in the Tax Authority.  And yet, the same State Ombudsmen have refused for years to accord him protection, due under Israeli law to whistleblowers, and also refused to restore his financial rights as a whistleblower, after he was wrongfully terminated.  The journalists called upon the State Ombudsman to act in line with his statements in public appearances.

The response letter by the State Ombudsman to the journalists is lame at best, starting with "there is no need to add words on how difficult it is to resolve this affair, which started in the previous century"... and going on "...the affair was over by 2007, about 5 years before I took office..."  With it, the letter notes that under guidance of the State Ombudsman, efforts started this past week to restore Rotem's lawful financial rights as a wrongfully terminated state employee.

Israeli Tax Authority whistleblower Rafi Rotem exposed organized crime in the Tax Authority starting in 2002, following a series of political appointments at the top of the Authority: Huge tax breaks to tycoons and organized crime related businesses, sex bribes to a tax investigator, and murder of a "source". [4,5]

Regardless of the statement by the State Ombudsman in his letter to the journalists that the affair was over by 2007, most of Rotem's allegations have never been investigated.  Most notably, Rafi Amiel, Head of the Tax Authority National Investigations Division, who is at the center of Rotem's allegations, remains in that position to this date. 

In a 2013 interview, [6] former Israeli Attorney General Manny Mezouz states regarding the Tax Authority scandal, exposed by Rafi Rotem, "...the worst corruption scandal is the one in the Tax Authority... it is the closest to organized crime... the punishment of those involved did not reflect the severity of their crimes and the entire affair..." 

Over the past 12 years, Rotem has been subjected to harassment, intimidation, and retaliation by the authorities. He lost his job, his home, his possessions and remains homeless today. 

Rotem's case provides unique documentation of corruption of the Israeli courts.  Rotem tried to protect his rights in the courts, starting with the Tel Aviv Labor Court and the National Labor Court. In a 2007 article, journalist Moshe LIchtman (who was also the primary author of the 44 journalists' letter) details the obstruction of justice in these courts.  

The main culprit is Judge Vardah Samet of the Tel Aviv Labor Court: [7]  Up to 2003 Rotem received good or excellent periodic evaluations.  But as part of retaliation, he was later framed in court as an employee, who engaged in intimidation and physical threats against co-workers, even prior to his whistleblowing.  Although Israeli law requires that negative comments or complaints, placed in an employee's personal file, include the employee's response, no such responses by Rotem were found in documents that were filed by the State Prosecution in the Tel Aviv Labor Court.  Moreover, such records were admitted by Judge Vardah Samet with no affidavits, and the authors of such records failed to appear in court and never took the stand for cross-interrogation.  

Likewise, the National Labor Court denied Rotem's appeal, and failed to address in its ruling the obvious violations of court procedures in admitting such inadmissible evidence.

In the Supreme Court of Israel, a panel of three Justices, Edmond Levy, Edna Arbel, and Uzi Vogelman, sitting as High Court of Justice, summarily denied Rotem's petition in 2008. The Court again ruled that Rotem was not a whistleblower, and that his case was only a case of soured relations in the workplace. [8] A 2013 review of the Rafi Rotem scandal by senior Israeli journalist Calman Liebeskind is titled, "There are no justices in Jerusalem", in reference to the ruling of the High Court of Justice. [9]

It should be noted that the ruling of the High Court of Justice on Rotem's petition was served unsigned by the Justices, uncertified by the Clerk of the Court, with no accompanying letter by the Office of the Clerk (authentication), and bearing the disclaimer "subject to editing and phrasing changes". Such paper cannot be deemed a valid court judgment by any reasonable person.  Rotem's request for the service of a signed and certified copy of this decision, addressed to Supreme Court Presiding Justice Asher Grunis, remains to be answered. [10] The 2013 Human Rights Alert (NGO) submission to the UN Human Rights Council documented that starting in 2002, the Israeli Supreme Court routinely conducts simulated proceedings, issues simulated judicial records, and refuses to issue duly signed and certified decision records. [11-13]  Simulated judicial records are records that are not deemed valid and effectual court records, but which the courts defrauds the people to believe are true and valid court records. [14]

In this respect, this week's letters by the State Ombudsman, a retired judge himself, are remarkable.  They show that in Israel, concerted, focused public pressure by the Social Protest movement and journalists can stand up to the corrupt courts as well.

Rotem's case also raises concerns regarding conduct of the Israel Police.  Prior to his whistle-blowing, Rotem received a number of appreciation and commendation letters from the Israel Police for his help as an Intelligence Officer in solving various crimes, most notably - the murder of a judge. [15-18] But after his whistleblowing, Rotem was detained numerous times by police on bogus charges, beaten by police, and treated as suspect in various unrelated crimes.

The case as a whole raises serious concerns regarding systemic corruption of the Israeli government in general, and the Israeli justice system in particular.  Moreover, the case shows tight relationship between government and organized crime in the State of Israel.  As detailed in a secret State Department cable from 2009, published by Wikileaks, the US Embassy in Israel also raised concerns regarding the integration of organized crime and government in the State of Israel. [19]

Such level of corruption of government in the State of Israel is relatively new, dating only some 10-15 years, [20] and it has been accompanied by soaring levels of poverty and homelessness. Recent OECD reports show Israeli with the highest levels of poverty among developed nations.  As is the case in the United States, corruption of the courts and the legal profession is central cause of the current socio-economic crisis.  The central role of the corrupt justice system in such developments in the United States is most clearly evidenced in the foreclosure fraud epidemic.  Likewise, in Israel, it is most directly evidenced in rampant fraud in the corrupt, medieval-style debtors' courts. [21]  

Such developments come in a nation that successfully absorbed about a million penniless refugees from post WWII Europe and from Arab nations in its early years, and another 400,000 penniless immigrants from the former Soviet Union in the early 1990s.  In that respect, one should note that prominent Israeli philosopher Yeshayahu Leibowitz (1903-1994) called for immediate withdrawal from the Palestinian territories immediately after the 1967 war. His reasoning was unrelated to support for Palestinian nationhood - the territories had been controlled by Jordan and Egypt prior to the war.  Instead, he reasoned that ongoing ruling over another nation would inevitably lead to total corruption of the State of Israel.

Rafi Rotem's case fits the observations of the 19th century French political theorist Frederic Bastiat, "sometimes the law places the whole apparatus of judges, police, prisons and gendarmes at the service of the plunderers, and treats the victim -- when he defends himself -- as a criminal."

However, Rafi Rotem's  case also shows that the Israeli Social Protest movement, modeled after the US Occupy movement, is by far more successful than its US counterpart in regaining control over government that went astray.

____

Joseph Zernik, PhD

Human Rights Alert (NGO)

http://www.scribd.com/Human_Rights_Alert

OccupyTLV

____

* The Human Rights Alert (NGO) submission to the Human Rights Council of the United Nations was incorporated into the 2010 Periodic Review Report regarding Human Rights in the United States, with the note: "corruption of the courts and the legal profession and discrimination by law enforcement in California". 

* The Human Rights Alert (NGO) submission to the Human Rights Council of the United Nations was incorporated into the 2013 Periodic Review Report regarding Human Rights in Israel, with the note: "lack of integrity of the electronic records of the Supreme Court, the district courts and the detainees courts in Israel."

___

LINKS
[1] 2014-04-29 State Ombudsman letter to Rotem's attorney
http://www.scribd.com/doc/221265439/
[2] 2014-04-28 State Ombudsman's response letter to 44 journalists
http://www.scribd.com/doc/221290433/
[3] 2013-12-19 Letter by 44 journalists to State Ombudsman to provide Rotem protection
http://www.scribd.com/doc/220934518/
[4] 0000-00-00 Rafi Rotem - Timeline
http://www.scribd.com/doc/219114386/
[5] 000-00-00 Rafi Rotem online archive - Index of Records
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218864098/
[6] 2013-06-07 Interview with former Attorney General Manny Mezouz_Haaretz
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218808147/
[7] 2007-10-02 The Rafi Rotem file: The witnesses, who never took the stand_ Globes
http://www.scribd.com/doc/220938014/
[8] 2008-04-08 Rotem v Samet et al (1233/08) petition in the High Court of Justice – Online Records and Justice Edmond Levy Judgment and Decision
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218795801/
[9] 2013-10-04 No justices in Jerusalem_Maariv
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218831926/
[10] 2014-04-25 ISRAEL: Tax Authority whistleblower Rafi Rotem asks the Supreme Court for signed, certified decisions in his petition
http://www.scribd.com/doc/220236900/
[11] The Human Rights Alert (NGO) submission (2013) for the Universal Periodic Review of israel  by the UN Human Rights Council, as it appears on the UN web site
http://lib.ohchr.org/HRBodies/UPR/Documents/Session15/IL/HRA_UPR_ISR_S15_2012_HumanRightsAlert_E.pdf
[12]  13-01-01 The Human Rights Alert (NGO) submission, as incorporated into the UN Human RItghts Council UPR reprort with the note "Lack of integrity in the electronic records of the Supreme Court, the district courts and the detainees courts in Israel" (page 4, paragraph 25)  
http://daccess-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G12/180/12/PDF/G1218012.pdf?OpenElement
[13] 12-05-10 Human Right Alert,  Appendix I to Submission; 15th UPR - State of Israel - "Integrity, or lack thereof, of the electronic record systems of the courts of the State of Israel"
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8Aa2xQGbmk5cjNxd2szX05oMkU/edit?usp=sharing

[14] 2014-04-29 Simulated process, fraudulent computer systems of the Israeli Supreme Court, and proposed corrective actions

http://www.scribd.com/doc/221542438/
[15] 2004-12-01 Appreciation letter for Rotem by Israel Police- Intelligence Unit, Tel Aviv – case of murder of Judge Adi Azar
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218813625/
[16] 2004-05-13 Recommendation letter for Rafi Rotem - Israel Police- Netanyah
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218815617/
[17] 2004-00-00 Appreciation letter for Rafi Rotem by Israel Police - Rosh Ha-Ain
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218814396/
[18] 2004-04-20 Appreciation letter for Rafi Rotem by the Tel-Aviv Police
http://www.scribd.com/doc/218811365/
[19] Viewing cable 09TELAVIV1098, ISRAEL: A PROMISED LAND FOR ORGANIZED CRIME?
http://wikileaks.org/cable/2009/05/09TELAVIV1098.html
[20] 13-10-25 ISRAEL: Nation hijacked by a Shin-Bet Judiciary Gang_OpEdNews.com
http://www.opednews.com/articles/ISRAEL-Nation-hijacked-by-by-Joseph-Zernik-Corruption_Fraud_Integrity_Judges-131026-653.html
[21] 14-02-27 ISRAEL: War hero Moti Ashkenazi+76 others versus the medieval debtors' courts_OpEdNews.com
http://www.opednews.com/articles/ISRAEL-War-hero-Moti-Ashk-by-Joseph-Zernik-Banking-Crime_Corporate-Corruption-Crime_Corruption-In-Legal-Profession_Foreclosures-140227-143.html 

2014-05-01 RT as an alternative to US MSM - attacked by Kerry

The emergence of RT as a reliable alternative information source is irritation Kerry...  US MSM are today central part of the problem... jz

___

OpEdNews Op Eds 5/1/2014 at 00:05:39 Kerry's Propaganda War on Russia's RT By Ray McGovern (about the author)  Cross-posted from Consortium News Secretary of State John Kerry denounces Russia's RT network (image by Consortium News) When specialists with a good sense of history insist that war with Russia is "not unthinkable" precipitated by events in Ukraine, one should take careful note. The "not unthinkable" quote is from pre-eminent American historian of Russia, Stephen F. Cohen, who recently appeared with John J. Mearsheimer, historian of U.S. foreign policy, on RT's Crosstalk. ... And, on Ukraine, they are a far cry from the ersatz-professors, the former U.S. officials and the blathering pundits dominating TV and newspapers, including the New York Times which is supposedly pledged to provide "all the news that's fit to print." ... But watch the Crosstalk program; it will help you understand why Secretary of State John Kerry has launched his own personal vendetta against RT, which is funded by the Russian government but offers important on-the-ground reporting and diverse opinions on a wide variety of topics. Ironically, Kerry was warned three years ago by his predecessor of the steady strides being made by RT -- as well as Al-Jazeera and CCTV (the new English-language programming set up by China). At a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee with then-Sen. Kerry in the chair, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton lamented that the U.S. is "losing the information war," and added that she finds watching RT "quite instructive." READ MORE: http://www.opednews.com/articles/Kerry-s-Propaganda-War-on-by-Ray-McGovern-Children_Kerry-John_Propaganda_Propaganda-And-Political-Myths-140501-530.html

2013-04-30 PALESTINE: IDF soldiers protest campaign goes viral

"No longer willing to serve as chess tools".
Soldiers are engaged in oppression of the Palestinians, where they face the daily routine of abuse and violence by Palestinian youth, but when they use excessive force, or in the video clip that started the campaign - cock their weapons - they are severely punished.
The Facebook campaign "I am with David Hanahlawi" went viral in Israeli terms, with some 80,000 "Likes" in 24 hours;  soldiers posting support photos; demonstrations...
The original video was released by the Palestinian non-violent organization - "Youth against Settlements" -  in Hebron.
Israeli media say: IDF high commanders were"shocked" by the campaign, are "out of touch".

The original video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=EL6tBXOeEFg

Support pictures, uploaded by IDF soldiers:












LINKS:
[1] Facebook page: גם אני עם דוד הנחלאווי
https://www.facebook.com/Israelijustice
[2] 2014-04-30 Top IDF commanders shocked by soldiers protest, "out of touch"

הלם בצמרת צה"ל ממחאת הלוחמים: "המפקדים מנותקים"

http://news.walla.co.il/?w=/550/2742171

2013-01-31 מדינת ישראל נ רפי רותם (1074-02-13), בית המשפט השלום ת"א – כתב אישום State of Israel v Rafi Rotem (1074-02-13) Tel Aviv Magistrate Court -

Joseph Zernik
===2013-01-31 מדינת ישראל נ רפי רותם (1074-02-13), בית המשפט השלום ת"א – כתב אישום State of Israel v Rafi Rotem (1074-02-13) Tel Aviv Magistrate Court - Indictment===
Part of harassment, intimidation, retaliation against Rafi Rotem - indictment on threats against public officer.

Israeli Tax Authority whistleblower Rafi Rotem exposed organized crime in government: Huge tax breaks to tycoons and crime figure related businesses, sex bribes, and murder of a "source".
Former Israeli Attorney General Manny Mezouz described the scandal as the worst and closest to organized crime in government.
And yet, Rotem has been subjected to harassment, intimidation, and retaliation over the past 12 years. He lost his job, his home, his possessions.
Recently, his case has become a cause of the Israeli Protest movement, as a key case in fighting government corruption.
On April 19, 2014 a letter was finally issued by the Israeli State Ombudsman's office, whcih for the first time after 12 years, they agree to take Rafi Rotem's evidence and testimony.
In the meanwhile, criminal prosecution against him continues.
LINK:
2013-01-31 מדינת ישראל נ רפי רותם (1074-02-13), בית המשפט השלום ת"א – כתב אישום
State of Israel v Rafi Rotem (1074-02-13) Tel Aviv Magistrate Court - Indictment
http://www.scribd.com/doc/221250975/ — with ‎רפי רותם‎.

2014-04-30 US: Why is no banker in jail yet?

Joseph Zernik shared Jim Hightower's photo.

17 minutes ago

Over on Twitter, friend @WorleyDervish created this pic -- the quote comes from this radio commentary: http://www.jimhightower.com/node/8244 Love it!

2014-04-30 PALESTINE: Israeli soldiers in active duty in Hebron protest against their military duty- oppression of the Palestinian people

===2014-04-30 ISRAEL: Soldiers in active duty in Hebron protest against their military duty- oppression of the Palestinian people===
The Palestinian non-violent organization "Youth against Settlers" is part of the distribution of this landmark video.

דוד הנחלאווי עוקף את שוברים שתיקה בסיבוב - שיחה מקומית

mekomit.co.il

החיילים המצטלמים בתמיכה בחברם לנשק קוראים לציבור הישראלי...

2014-04-30 ISRAEL: Big Bongs everywhere

Joseph Zernik shared ‎סנופקין הירוק‎'s photo.

7 minutes ago

===2014-04-30 ISRAEL: Big Bongs everywhere===
Massive campaign for cannabis legalization. The next Big Bong events:

Haifa - April 26

Jerusalem - April 26

Tel Aviv -  May 5

Everywherre - May 22

Beer Sheva - June 19

אל לנו לנוח על זרי דפנה! קדימה, לפרגן לאירועים החדשים שצצים מכל עבר 

אירועים מתוכננים - לפי סדר התרחשות:
ליל הבאנגים הגדול 2: חיפה 26/4
https://www.facebook.com/events/856202337728881/?ref=22
מעשנים בגן סאקר: פיקניק חירות - 26/4
https://www.facebook.com/events/1441432229433232/
ליל הבאנגים הגדול 2: תל אביב 5/5
https://facebook.com/events/715849828453506
סמים לזה סוף - עצרת ענק לשינוי מעמד הקנאביס 22/5
https://www.facebook.com/ChangetheLaw
ליל הבאנגים הגדול 2: באר שבע 19/6
https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=237629519773128

אשמח אם מארגני האירוע ינעצו כדי שכולם ידעו ויגיעו!

2014 Hello world!

Recent:

4/30 @ 7:50 : Brampton, CA

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