Mazuz sums up 6-year term as attorney general
Six turbulent years have passed since current attorney general took office. After Sharon, Ramon, Katsav and Olmert Mazuz concludes term with criticism towards 'oppositional ministers'
There has hardly been an attorney general who attracted more media attention than Menachem Mazuz. From Sharon's Greek island affair to the Olmert indictment and the Katsav saga, Menachem Mazuz has determined the fates of many.
Two weeks prior to his retirement, Mazuz points to what he regards as the main problem throughout his turbulent term – a lack of support from the justice ministers.
In an interview with the Israel Bar Association's journal marking the end of his six-year term the attorney general criticizes the ministers with whom he clashed, particularly Daniel Friedmann and Yaakov Ne'eman.
"Basically the minister is required to back the system and promote the issues under its responsibility.
We have oppositional ministers, which is felt by a lack of support to decisions and a lack of ability to promote issues on the agenda," he said. "Paradoxically there are issues where the only element which comes out against the system is the justice minister," he added.
Mazuz addressed the various governmental corruption affairs and claimed that his "intensive and resolute struggle" led to "real deterrence" within the government.
Friedmann and Mazuz. Tense relationship (Photo: Flash 90)
Asked about a certain point which marked the beginning of the decline in public norms, Mazuz, who has been a member of the legal system for 30 years commented: "My general impression is that during the 1990s there was a process which caused to an increased corruption of the public systems. A greater dependency was formed between the voters and the elected parties."
Active management
Mazuz reiterated his objection to the initiative to divide the attorney general's authorities, which he claimed "would weaken the fight against corruption" and described the changes he led. "I implemented the concept of active management and of initiating and leading procedures in all fields."
In respect to his relationship with the government and the ministers he noted, "I acted in order to redefine the rules of the game.
"I made it clear that the attorney general's role was to provide legal service to the government, but that he is not a legal advisor on behalf of that body, and that a no less important job is to oversee the government, and therefore there must be a certain distance between the attorney general and the ministers."
When asked where he is headed in the future, Mazuz noted that he doesn't have any plans for the next job. He nevertheless noted, "I do not rule out anything in advance."
