Security Cabinet ministers voice support for polygraphs
Minister of Public Security Gilad Erdan announces that he will support the bill, which requires that members of the Cabinet to undergo a polygraph once a year to battle leaks but has set a condition: 'The Cabinet's non-governmental staff must also undergo the test'; ministers Bennett and Shaked also support the proposal.
Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan on Tuesday expressed his support for the "Polygraph Bill," according to which the members of the Security Cabinet would undergo a polygraph examination once a year. However, Erdan made it clear that apart from the ministers, the security experts involved in the discussions would have to pass the test as well.
"I think it is wrong for us to mark the ministers only because (we think) it is certain that the leak came from the ministers. I often see briefings leaked, which neither I nor any of the ministers knew of and apparently did not come from any politician. I support the proposal if anyone present at the meeting will also undergo a polygraph test."
Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked (Bayit Yehudi) also expressed support for a polygraph test, and she also said that this is on condition that everyone present at the meeting, including the security experts, undergo the test.
The leader of her party, Education Minister Naftali Bennett, also supported the measure but did not insist on the condition set by Erdan and Shaked. Bennett and Shaked also wrote a number of times to the prime minister to encourage conducting polygraph tests.
Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman (Yisrael Beiteinu), whose member MK Robert Ilatov proposed the legislation, addressed the issue this morning: "I think it's right for every member of the Cabinet to be tested once a year … a polygraph test with one single question: Did you leak from Cabinet meetings? Yes or no. No investigations needed. This will contribute greatly to the work of the Cabinet. Prevention is always better than a cure."
In previous talks with Minister Yuval Steinitz, Lieberman clarified that in principle he supports the proposal, but added that it depends on its implementation.
Lieberman believes that the goal should be to prevent the leak of confidential material and not to prevent the possibility of conducting arguments, if necessary, within the Cabinet, so that there will be no suppressing of opinions, nor will a discriminatory policy be adopted against the person who is supposed to undergo the examination.
Ilatov explained his reasons for spearheading the legislation. "The law was proposed as a result of repeated leaks from the Cabinet, which is a dangerous trend that can harm the security of the citizens of the State of Israel," he said. "Cabinet discussions cannot be a tool for political leverage. As a member of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, the severity of the acts chills me, and we must put an end to this."
(Translated & edited by Lior Mor)
