How Can We?

When a man lies and is caught in the lie, how can we ever believe him? How can we trust him?

Earlier in the week, Prime Minister Netanyahu stated to a Knesset assembly that he had shared the proposed annexation of the West Bank with the American president.

Immediately the White House responded to what they called an outright lie. “False”, said President Trump in response to our Prime Minister’s lie. And when caught in the lie, the ashen-faced Prime Minister did a turn-about and denied that he had conferred with President Trump on the proposal.

If Netanyahu can lie about a conversation which never took place, how in the world can we possibly believe him when he cries out his innocence of the indictment charges against him?

When a man deceives us more than once, his word no longer has any value. And apparently it is easier to lie than to admit the truth and face disgrace.

When Prime Minister Olmert was accused of criminal activities, indicted and convicted, Bibi Netanyahu was the first among others who demanded Olmert’s resignation claiming that he was unfit for the position.

Now when opposition parties are demanding Netanyahu’s resignation, he stubbornly refuses. He is doubtless unaware of the proverb “what is good for the goose is good for the gander”. If it was right to demand Olmert’s resignation it is equally right to demand it from the present Prime Minister. Nine years of keeping his seat warm is enough. There are other worthy candidates prepared to exchange seats with him.

Among them in the forefront is the head of the Yesh Atid party, MK Yair Lapid. Even the party’s name, translated as “There is a Future” resonates with new hope. “Meshaneh makom, meshaneh mazal” does not work in Bibi’s case. Changing a place, changing good fortune. When Bibi ultimately resigns of his own free-will (with Sara’s approval, of course) or is forced by the coalition to give up his seat, it will not change his luck or good fortune.

Our history books will add his name to the disgraced President Moshe Katzav and the former Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert.

How can we, as a Jewish and democratic nation, continue to support a leader who fails to lead, a liar who fails to speak truth? How can we?

Both Arnon Milchan and Noni Mozes, both considered for indictment of bribery, will testify against Netanyahu. Perhaps their testimonies may reduce the length of their prison terms if convicted.

It is an immensely complicated case in two separate but similar parts..Case 1000 and Case 2000. The evidence was sufficient for the police to bring charges of bribery and deceit against the Prime Minister.

It is to be hoped that the one man who can legally present the charges to a court of law, Attorney General Mandelblit, will examine the police documents with great care before rendering his decision to convict.

The behavior of Sara Netanyahu, never known for finesse or gentility, will be charged with the same crimes for which both she and her husband are guilty. In my own opinion, she is more guilty than her husband. She is the dominant mistress in the Netanyahu household. It is frequently said by knowing personnel that Sara tells her husband which candidates are acceptable and which should be denied. And in 9 times out of 10, he follows her suggestions. Probably maintaining his manhood, he reserves the right to make a personal decision without her influence.

What will Bibi do if and when he resigns? He’ll sit on the sandy seashore adjacent to his Caesarea home and begin to pen his memoirs for posterity. And what will Sara do? Why…it’s quite simple. She will continue to verbally abuse the household staff.

I do not envy Prime Minister Netanyahu’s future situation. He is not a bad man. Only a foolish man who thought that a Prime Minister could do whatever he wanted to do with explaining the reasons to his cabinet, to the Knesset, and most important of all, to the citizens of Israel who trusted him. He still believes that he is above the law.

My question, therefore is a valid one. How can we trust a leader who lies?   Honestly…. How can we? This year-long investigation has only brought us a natural (national) disaster.