Atty. Eliad Shraga, Chairman of the Movement for Quality Government in Israel,
My friend Prof. Shuki Shemer, Director-General of Maccabi Healthcare Services
Director-General of the Movement, Movement members, ladies and gentlemen,
I am pleased that you are holding this conference in Jerusalem. Jerusalem not only symbolizes Jewish sovereignty over the State and Land of Israel, it is also the center of activity of government institutions in Israel, and therefore the appropriate place to hold a conference on the quality of government in the State of Israel. Too often, we hold these conferences in other places. I am pleased that you chose Jerusalem.
In the 58 years of Israel's existence – which we have just celebrated – we have created an exemplary state. We have problems, we have difficulties, but there is no doubt that in the final analysis, the State of Israel is a wonderful country and the citizens of Israel enjoy a standard of living higher than that of most countries in the world.
It is extremely important to ensure that government systems will have the quality and integrity which is appropriate for the standard of living we wish to maintain in this country.
Unfortunately, under the circumstances prevailing in the State of Israel, there is a strong feeling that public systems are not characterized by that same quality and integrity that we would like to see.
Just as we are making efforts to uproot evil, we must make an effort to reinstate a relationship of trust between the citizens of Israel and government systems. It is my intention to invest special efforts in this matter during my term as Prime Minister of Israel.
There is no doubt that there are "weeds" in our public systems, and that we must not show weakness in this matter. Every effort should be made to guarantee the purity and quality of government in Israel.
At the same time, we must say – and I can say it from close observation of government and public systems in the State of Israel over the past 30 years: the vast majority of officials and public servants in Israel perform their duties loyally, dedicatedly and honestly.
I regret that this majority is often forgotten, while the problematic minority is perceived by the public as representative.
We must join forces: the government, shapers of public opinion, state judicial and inspection systems, and public bodies dealing with the quality of government.
We must all take action to find the proper balance between aggressive confrontation with public corruption and expansion and consolidation of trust between the citizens of Israel and government systems.
The public demands it, and justifiably so. Government systems need it; the country's stability necessitates it.
The public's trust in government systems is necessary to effectively confront the difficult missions ahead.
One of these missions is the confrontation with the onslaught of unrestrained crime and delinquency which the State of Israel has been experiencing in recent years. The vast majority of Israeli citizens – law-abiding, decent people who work for their living and wish to raise their children safely and quietly in our country – are forced to confront wide-scale crime.
My government will not tolerate this level of crime. We must not grow accustomed to it, and we are determined to fight it. Today, more than ever, the battle against crime and delinquency is a major test of our ability to improve the quality of government. This test encompasses all strata of public and private life in Israel and all sectors of Israeli society.
Throughout the years, crime has expanded and taken root in many areas of our lives: property offenses, drug offenses, money laundering, public corruption, trafficking in women, domestic violence, stabbings in nightclubs, organized crime. I think that the time has come when, unfortunately, we can say: organized crime. For some reason, this expression – organized crime – is repeatedly used. We all know what organized crime is: extortion, appalling acts of rape and brutal murders. And the list is long, distressing and painful.
The government of Israel will fight criminals, law-breakers and violators. One of the guidelines of the new government states, and I quote: "the Government will act in a combined and joint effort against corruption in general and corruption in public systems in particular, and will act to minimize illegal economic activity. The Israel Police will be instructed to take action against organized crime and economic crime, and to take the initiative to reduce the scope of these alarming phenomena. The Government will act to prevent violence and to strengthen law-enforcement in general, and planning and construction laws in particular, in order to guarantee the integrity of the Government and the public’s trust in it”.
A few months ago, I was a guest of the National Headquarters of the Israel Police. There, at a meeting with police commissioners, I stated clearly and unequivocally: "fight public and government corruption with all your might. Do not listen to those who say that this issue is not a top priority. Do not fret. You have full and complete backing from me”.
I mean what I say. In that same spirit I have instructed the Minister of Public Security, Avi Dichter, to devise a comprehensive program to combat crime and public corruption. I told him, when I assigned him to this position, that it was a crucially important mission which must be given top priority, and that he would enjoy my full and comprehensive backing.
The new government embarks on its journey with a clear message: we have no tolerance when it comes to the battle against crime. We will deal firmly with every offender, whether or not they have government connections, whether they are rich or poor, Jewish or Arab, religious or secular.
In the State of Israel, everyone will be equal before the law.
The education system, in all its branches, will play a central role in uprooting corruption, crime and violence. Changing norms in a democratic society is first and foremost the duty of educators and not police officers. We must teach respect for the law and the upholding of norms.
In accordance with the guidelines, the government is preparing a comprehensive and overall plan to enhance the personal safety of the citizens of Israel. This plan will offer a firm response to organized and individual crime, with the aim of defending the citizen’s personal safety.
We will fight crime and violence – which constitute domestic violence – with the same determination with which we fight terror from the outside.
Guaranteeing the senior status of the Israeli judicial system, primarily the Supreme Court, will be a basic component of government policy. It is an important precondition for the battle against crime and corruption. The judicial authority in Israel is strong enough, and I have every faith in its judgment, honesty and public integrity, which is beyond reproach.
The government will provide law-enforcement agencies in Israel with full backing in order to implement the rule of law. Past experience shows that when law-enforcement agencies fight crime in an effective and focused manner, crime rates decrease.
In my talks with the Minister of Public Security, I told him – and through him the law-enforcement agencies – that the system wants to ensure that criminals are brought to justice. No backing will be given to law violations. There will be no leniency or "turning a blind eye". There will be no clemency towards those violating the law or taking the devious path. Israel’s law enforcement systems must set limits.
When there are no real limits – and I mean that in every context – there are loopholes, and loopholes tend to widen and bring in elements which jeopardize our way of living.
The Israel Police are at the forefront of the daily confrontation with this difficult and complex task. Unfortunately, in recent years, the Israel Police have been forced to confront missions which are beyond the clear policing lines. I must tell you, despite all the criticism and allegations, I salute the Israel Police. We will do everything in our power to guarantee that our police force is the cleanest and strongest and that it enjoys maximum backing to enforce the law in the State of Israel.
I yearn for a situation in which citizens are not afraid of criminals, but rather the criminals are afraid of the country’s law-enforcement agencies, which represent the vast majority of Israeli citizens, who are decent, law-abiding and respectful of each other.
We must return to the atmosphere of those days when it was simply a disgrace to be associated with behavior which deviates from law-abiding norms.
I believe in the strength and power of Israeli society. I believe in our ability to confront the greatest of difficulties.
Naturally, this conference deals with the empty half of the glass – and this is undoubtedly important. However, the time when we are dealing with the empty half is exactly the time when we must not empty the full half – that which is good and wonderful about our country, that which unites us and brings us together, that which makes us better and stronger.
Thank you.