Speak now or forever hold your peace

Rumors are not facts; media was right to keep silent when Katsav was elected

Reuters | Published: 01.29.07, 11:26

For over a week now the media has been beating its breast in an act of contrition; how did it transpire that media outlets were familiar with a series of rumors about Moshe Katsav, yet did not prevent his election to the presidency? How did they let such a mishap occur?

I have news for you: Such rumors not only accompanied the election of the last president, they will also accompany the next one. Another candidate who was openly accused of sexual harassment was Rabbi Lau, yet he is not alone. Another respectable candidate eneterd the race while a long trail of rumors (no evidence, only rumors) followed behind: As rumors have it, he too is among the molesters.

There is something quite grotesque and venomous in basing elections on rumors. Therefore, I find it hard to comprehend how Knesset members sinned by not acting on the rumors when electing the last president, and how journalists sinned by not rushing to publicize the rumors. If there is no complaint and no evidence, there is no story.

Rumors are like intoxicating drugs: They allow one to wallow in the filth without getting dirty, to make slanderous accusations without taking responsibility. This is common practice at the Knesset canteen, but it must not be allowed to be a decisive factor where appointments are concerned.

'Peres bill' embarrassing

Just a few years ago Supreme Court judges erred in disqualifying a candidate for the Court, arguing that they heard some gossip that was not to their liking. This incident has remained a dark stain in the Supreme Court's history.

The election battle for the next president has begun. The first phase was set Sunday when the ministerial committee for legislative affairs approved the Peres Bill that endorses an open presidential ballot, in the hope that by so doing Shimon Peres would be assured of a majority vote in the upcoming presidential elections.

This personal bill - passed to advance a person rather than advancing an issue - is offensive. Changing the rules of the game during the game ridicules democracy. Putting Ehud Olmert and Shimon Peres aside, one of the ministers who voted in favor of this embarrassing bill was none other than Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, Mrs. cleanliness.

Now the candidacy is returning to the Knesset: It will include poetic speeches in the plenum and murmuring whispers in the canteen. This is the time to say what is usually said at wedding ceremonies worldwide: If anyone can show just cause why any of the candidates should be disqualified - let them speak now or forever hold their peace - or at least until the end of the candidate's term in office.