July 13: Readers react to Olmert verdicts

Sir, – The glee exhibited by supporters of Ehud Olmert (“Olmert acquitted of central corruption charges in two cases,” July 11) may soon be proven to be misplaced. This is in view of the fact that the former prime minister still faces the possibility of a sentence that says his conduct constituted moral turpitude, plus the additional and very formidable charge of bribery in connection with the Holyland complex.

The saddest part, however, is the assessment by many politicos and media personalities that Olmert’s conviction on breach of public trust is merely a technicality or unpleasant.

It would appear that we have some way to go before we can be described as a “light unto the nations.”

ZEV CHAMUDOT
Petah Tikva

Sir, – Is Israel the only Western, enlightened country that considers a guilty verdict of “breach of public trust” and “preferential treatment of a close friend” just a minor aside, and not a culpable crime against the electorate? It is no surprise that politicians are ranked so low in the esteem of the public.

HOWARD BURG
Netanya

Sir, – Do I understand correctly that the court decided the double-billing for Olmert’s trips was not criminal because it was not a consistent pattern? Has a new version of the Bible come out, and if so, what is the exact wording? Is it “Thou shalt not steal more than occasionally?” Perhaps it’s “Six days shalt thou steal and on the seventh day rest from thy thievery.”

MARK L. LEVINSON
Herzliya

Sir, – With regard to “Lador: I’m proud to be part of this system” (July 11), we are not proud of him being part of this system.

If he does not have the civil courage and decency to step down, then it is time the minister of justice shows him the way out.

In addition, it is high time the proposed law of installing a supervisory committee above the attorney- general is made law in order to restore a minimum of credibility to this important judicial office.

SHLOMO FELDMANN
Givatayim

Sir, – I personally would like to thank State Attorney Moshe Lador. He did us a great service. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.

Just because Olmert was acquitted does not mean he is not corrupt and guilty.

The judges just liked his color better than that of someone like Aryeh Deri.

LOIS GREEN
Kadima

Sir, – I’m so relieved to know that Israeli judges can be bought and paid for, especially with corrupt money. Now we really are like every other country!

LAURIE BENTNER
Tel Aviv

Sir, – If Steve Linde (“J’accuse!,” Comment, July 11) thinks Ehud Olmert’s saving grace is that “he came very close to reaching a peace agreement with the Palestinians” by splitting Jerusalem, then your editor-in- chief’s naiveite is showing.

Olmert is an opportunist if there ever was one. How did so many corruption charges “accidentally” happen? Being found not guilty for lack of evidence does not mean innocent. It means, as Olmert himself said, that he had very good lawyers.

And he was found guilty of a crime that can bring a jail sentence. This is not exactly being squeaky clean.

I, for one, hope the Holyland case will restore some fresh air to the Holy Land.

AVIGDOR BONCHEK
Jerusalem

Sir, – In 2011 the Post ran semi-regular columns by Tzachi Hanegbi, at the time a convicted criminal, as well as by Ehud Olmert, now a convicted criminal. Laudably, though, it appears the practice was stopped, as I haven’t seen a column by either for a while.

I hope you will continue to have the good sense to refrain from giving a platform to criminals who pose as politicians.

DANIEL FEIGELSON
Rehovot