Retired Judge Warns of KGB-Style Investigations in Israel
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Retired Judge Moshe Gilad warned that investigations into Arab party leaders without solid evidence could lead to Israeli security agencies becoming like the KGB. He acknowledged the Shin Bet chief's mandate but stressed the importance of legal processes and the role of the legal advisor. Gilad suggested political factors might be at play and that investigations must be grounded in law, not personal whims. He noted that one targeted individual had existing evidence against them.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Retired Judge Moshe Gilad warned against investigations without evidence, fearing a shift to KGB-like agencies.
- He acknowledged the Shin Bet chief's duty but emphasized adherence to the rule of law.
- Gilad suggested political motivations might influence the probes into Arab party leaders.
- He stated that investigations must be based on law and legal counsel, not personal desires.
- The Shin Bet chief received a directive from the Elections Committee chairman to investigate.
- One targeted individual reportedly had existing evidence and suspicion against them.
Retired Judge Moshe Gilad has issued a stark warning against conducting investigations without sufficient evidentiary basis, particularly concerning Arab party leaders. He cautioned that such practices could lead to Israel developing security organizations akin to the KGB or Securitate, rather than the Shin Bet.
Gilad commented on the Shin Bet chief's desire to investigate Arab party leaders, framing it as a conflict between the urgency of wartime and the principles of a law-abiding state. He acknowledged the Shin Bet chief's role in protecting the Israeli regime and his mandate to uncover severe political and democratic offenses. However, Gilad emphasized that the legal advisor is responsible for upholding the rule of law, suggesting that investigations should await the war's conclusion, even if another conflict arises, to preserve the state's legal integrity.
He argued that initiating investigations based on the whims or desires of security officials, however competent, risks transforming the Shin Bet into a more oppressive agency. Gilad suggested that political considerations might be influencing these investigations, noting that if a particular party held significant power in the Knesset, such issues might not surface. The problem, he implied, arises when parties are on the fringes of electoral success.
Gilad also addressed a letter from the Chairman of the Central Elections Committee urging an investigation, suggesting the Shin Bet chief might have perceived a lack of progress. He clarified that while the Shin Bet chief received the directive, the method of investigation is governed by law and legal counsel, not the committee chairman. He drew a parallel to the Attorney General's authority to investigate a prime minister, noting that such actions require at least some evidence.
Regarding the individuals targeted for investigation, Gilad understood that one Member of Knesset, against whom evidence and suspicion existed, could have been investigated without issue. He noted that the Shin Bet chief, David Zini, is a capable individual, and some might perceive his actions as an attempt to inject politics into security considerations, though Zini himself might view it purely through a security and investigative lens.
