It's very rare that a hypocritical banner carrying a message of deterrence turns out to be true shortly after it is unfurled. This is what happened with one sign held up at a demonstration in Petach Tikva calling for the attorney general to hurry up and make a decision in the cases involving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The banner read: "Netanyahu is guilty until proven innocent."
This decision – Netanyahu is guilty – was recorded and adopted by some of the media figures who were in the studios the evening the police announced their conclusions in the investigations. The presumed innocence of the subject of the investigations, a supreme legal and moral principle, was trammeled by the words of some media professionals. In fact, even before he is indicted – if he will be indicted at all – Netanyahu has already been convicted in on-air tribunals. There were a few analysts and hosts who called it a "sad evening," but prior to and after making that observation, some of them had a tough time hiding their euphoric expressions. Were they truly consumed by deep sadness when they heard from the police? It's doubtful.
In the next few months, Attorney-General Avichai Mendelblit will need extra courage as he makes his decisions about what will happen with the police recommendations in the Netanyahu cases. If he decides not to file any indictments, the demonstrations in Petach Tikva to date will look like child's play compared to what will happen if Mendelblit dares to ignore the immoral declaration that "Netanyahu is guilty."
This writer is not objective. I wish that the prime minister, if and when he takes the witness stand, is found innocent. But in any case, he too needs to learn a lesson, even if he learns it late: Israelis loathes leaders who don't despise the luxurious lifestyle that is so different from how most people in the country live. Our leaders, and not only the senior ones, live in glass boxes in which everything, almost down to their every thought, is recorded. The legal system, not the public, will decide whether the gifts and receipt of bottles of champagne and cigars were bribes and not presents between friends. But we should hope that the next few months, until the fateful decision is made, will be characterized by restraint and cool-headedness. Sorry, that's just a wish that has no chance of being granted.
