Arrogance Of Power "Elite"
NIS 1.2 mil to go to Katsav's securityFollowing Shin Bet's request, Knesset Finance Committee approves security budget for former president without objections. In the meantime, Katsav's family rejects relinquishing office funding
Zvi Lavi
Published: 08.16.07, 18:50 / Israel NewsFormer President of Israel Moshe Katsav, who resigned from his position after taking a plea bargain for sexual assault charges, will receive a special budget of NIS 1.2 million (about $283,000) to fund his security expenses, the
The budget was proposed by Budget Director Kobi Haber in accordance with the government's decision and was approved without objections, since it is not part of Katsav's retirement benefits, but came at the instructions of the Shin Bet.In the meantime, Katsav's family rejected committee head MK Stas Misezhnikov's proposal that the former president give up of his own accord the funding for his office, in the amount of NIS 750,000 by the end of 2007.
Misezhnikov postponed the hearing on this matter pending the Finance Committee's decision to revoke benefits of former presidents or prime ministers convicted of crimes that carry moral turpitude.
Misezhnikov suggested to Katsav's brother Lior that the eighth president relinquish his office, since this would be the most worthy move following the storm around his affair and would also give the former president a dignified way out.
Katsav's brother responded that this offer was unacceptable. In the meantime, Katsav plans to open an office in Tel Aviv, where he will be assisted by two aides.
Olmert's motorcade runs over 10-year-old girlEfrat Weiss
Published: 08.16.07, 23:04 / Israel NewsPrime Minister Ehud Olmert's motorcade ran over a 10-year-old girl crossing the street near the entrance to Jerusalem on Thursday evening.
The girl was lightly wounded and evacuated to the Hadassah Ein Karem hospital for treatment. Olmert's office expressed their sorrow over the incident and wished the girl a speedy recovery.
An initial probe into the incident conducted by the police indicates that the convoy was driving with its lights and sirens on. The traffic light changed to red as the motorcade was still making its way across while the girl began crossing the street after the crosswalk light turned green.
The car accompanying the motorcade which hit the girl remained at the scene while the rest of the convoy continued. The investigation into the incident will continue.
Avraham Scheinberger, a ZAKA volunteer who was driving nearby said he noticed people assembled on the street and approached the crowd with his motorcycle. "There were a lot of motorcade cars there. I came up close with my motorcycle and began treating to the girl, who had been hit by a motorcade jeep.
"The girl sustained a blow to her head after being thrown more than six feet. She was crossing the street at a crosswalk with her sister after the light turned green. The girl was fully conscious and calling for her father. We set her neck and a minute later an ambulance arrived and took her to a hospital for treatment."
Olmert's office said the prime minister was only informed of the incident sometime later, the car that
struck the girl had been traveling behind his. The prime minister's personal paramedic was said to be in the car that hit the girl and he immediately began administering aid until the emergency medical services arrived.
What does 2 million NIS and the Prime Ministers motorcade hitting a 10 year old girl have in common?
Both involve the Shaback (Shin Bet), and career politicians.
Both incidents show a disconnect of both from reality, Katsav if he was a man of honor would turn down both the funding for an office and security.
In the incident of the motorcade running over this little girl, their is an arrogance in the way the Shaback responded.
To have the motorcade speed off leaving only the one vehicle behind shows they really don't care about the people. Many will think what about the security risk, it could have been an ambush.
The motorcade could have stopped, kept Olmert in his bullet proof limo a until they determined it was not an ambush and then a Prime Minster who really cared about the people could have gotten out and checked on the welfare of the little girl.
The power elite have lost their connection to the people and think they are above the mundane of every day life.
