President Rivlin
Photo: Alex Kolomoisky
Speaking from experience, Rivlin comments on Recommendations Bill
In a President's Residence swearing-in ceremony, President Rivlin recounts travails of investigation opened into his affairs before prospective appointment to Justice Ministry; 'I was mistreated due to personal, political reasons. I felt what it's like to be exposed, not be able to defend my good name'; on Recommendations Bill, Rivlin says unsure whether it addresses matter properly.
President Reuven Rivlin commented Monday on one of the most traumatic events in his public life: an investigation he believed was ordered against him more than a decade ago in order to foil his appointment to the Ministry of Justice, and the public and personal price he was forced to pay as a result.
At a judges' swearing-in ceremony in the President's Residence Rivlin spoke on the importance of maintaining one's good name, an issue of public discourse in the wake of the Recommendations Bill, barring police from making public recommendations on indictments.
"I think it should mentioned the bill brought forth a public and legal issue that has not been properly addressed thus far. The public's right to know is of paramount importance and rightfully defended and encouraged in both legislation and ruling. But it should not be forgotten that other values exist alongside that right.
President Rivlin said he was forced to pay a heavy personal price for the investigation opened against him (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)
The president then went on to recount that in 2001, when a new government was being put together by then Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, he was a candidate to the position of justice minister.
"But as it happened, an investigation was opened into my affairs around that same time. Any suspicion, or even a hint of one, justifies an inquiry and even a full-blown investigation. The then attorney general notified Prime Minister Sharon that since such an investigation would be drawn out and may take many weeks, if not months, it would not be proper for someone under investigation to serve as justice minister.
R-L: Justice Minister Shaked, President Rivlin, Supreme Court Chief Justice Hayut (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)
"Three and a half years hence and the case was closed citing my innocence of any wrongdoing, despite only being questioned once and investigators being told no further inquiries were necessary. The personal and public injury done to me persisted, however, remaining an open wound.
"I was incensed and believed I was being mistreated due to personal and political reasons. After many years as an attorney, I finally felt for the first time in my life what it's like to be completely exposed and unable to defend my good name. The price I paid was not an easy one."
In speaking on the Recommendations Bill, Rivlin added, "I'm not convinced the proposed law solves this complex issue, but debate around it is important. it does not harm democracy, but strengthens it. It should be conducted, but in keeping with the principles of the rule of law and equality before the law."
The Internal Affairs Committee discussing the Recommendations Law (Photo: Yishai Porat)
The bill was not placed before the Knesset's plenum for its second and third reading Monday due to revisions asked by the opposition on reservations to the bill, to be discussed Tuesday morning in parliament's Internal Affairs Committee.
Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked also spoke at the ceremony, commenting on Rivlin's remarks. "It's a badge of shame for the State Attorney's Office and attorney general of the period to leave a case against a sitting minister open for three and a half years after just one interrogation. Today, knowing the current attorney general and state attorney, I know it couldn't have happened," she vowed.
"Criticism is necessary, but lashing out is to be condemned. We mustn't fear criticism or a plurality of opinions, which enrich and inspire our discourse and assist in finding the truth. It's the very heart of democracy since time immemorial. Plurality of opinions is also a basic tenet of Jewish thought," Shaked added.
