It would be hard to overstate the dramatic implications of the so-called submarine affair. The Israel Police report from Thursday says that there is enough evidence to go forward with a trial, and while the report is just a form of recommendation, the enormity of the matter is clear. It is now obvious that this is the worst defense-related corruption case in Israeli history and a real earthquake that should have everyone who cares about Israel worried.
The case involves a group of well-connected individuals who allegedly decided to use the state's decision-making apparatus for their own greedy interests. In light of their conduct, how will Israeli mothers trust that their sons in the military use equipment procured for its essential qualities rather than because it padded someone's bank account?
This is where the real damage is in this case: the erosion of public trust. The public feels that everything is for sale, that nothing is sacred – even the most sensitive procurement deals – and that every strategic body is run by a corrupt individual who cuts a profit for his strategic interests. Of course, this is all based on suspicions and everyone is innocent until proven guilty.
The tragedy is that the submarines that were bought in those shady deals are in fact essential. The submarines are among the best and they are the most suitable for the Israeli Navy. The other naval vessels that were bought as part of those deals, to defend Israel's gas rigs, are also a very worthy choice.
But now that the procurement process was tainted – and there is no doubt that it was – there is a cloud hanging over the entire set of decisions that were made, even if those who actually made the decisions in the Defense Ministry and the government are not implicated in this affair. It turns out that decision-makers were puppets on a string.
As is the case in every scandal, this one has a silver lining as well. For example, Germany has so far not nullified the deal despite its prior warning that it would do just that if it turned out that the Israeli negotiators were acting unlawfully. Or the fact that the investigators cleared the Israel Defense Forces from any criminal conduct, which proves that some people still have a conscious despite the temptation to embezzle funds. The fact that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also been cleared is also a good development. Woe to Israel if this was not the case.
That said, the fact that so many high-ranking officials in so many sensitive positions allegedly engaged in such activity should have all of us lose sleep, including the prime minister. The findings should prompt the Diplomatic-Security Cabinet to convene an emergency session to set clear guidelines that would introduce new oversight mechanisms. It should also grant the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee greater powers so that it can vet those who serve as mediators in procurement deals and make sure that former officials cannot meddle in official affairs. These steps should be all-encompassing.
The prime minister and the government have a vested interested in making those changes, as does the defense establishment. This is not just a legal matter, because we have to look beyond the evidence: values, proper governance, common sense. All of these and much more were nowhere to be found in this case, and they must reappear in future procurement deals.
"Every Hebrew mother should know that her son has commanders who are worthy of their job," Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion famously said. This applies not just to the military but to our civilian leadership.
The submarine affair is an opportunity to revamp the entire system. The legal matters will be dealt with in court, but it would best of the public sector complement this by doing some internal house cleaning to make sure the Israel Police does not investigate other matters.
