Opinion
Justice had been served
Yigal Sarna
Published: 22.02.11, 14:48
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21 Talkbacks for this article
1. Right Yigal, punishing anyone ver 50 is pointless:their life
tom ,   tel aviv   (02.22.11)
is " behind them". Just send them home with a "Nu-Nu" !!
2. age threshold
Michael ,   Haifa   (02.22.11)
Essentially, what Sarna is saying is that people over the age of 65 should not be subject to imprisonment. An original, but rather peculiar idea
3. Oh, NO!
sasha ,   bilbao, basque   (02.22.11)
He should spend his long term in jail.
4. Total Rubbish !
Haim ,   Tel Aviv   (02.22.11)
Incase the writer of this article has forgotten Katsav was the president of Israel and before that the minister of tourism. He knew exactly what he was doing at the time. He has brought shame not only on the office of President but also on the state of Israel. A so called religious man who claims the moral highground yet commits the gravest of offences towards women. It will take more than photos of him clutching a prayer book on his way to the Beit Knesset to get public sympathy. He willingly took on the office of President and the responsibility that comes with it. Throughout his trial he has acted in a smug way, lying at every opportunity and preventing the course of justice. lets not forget his fits of rage on live TV as he lied to the nation. No one is above the law, not him and not fanatical rabbis.
5. He should be punished no more or less than any other crimina
Lisa ,   Israel   (02.22.11)
I don't know what's more pathetic about this article: the standard of English ("had been served"? "was weaken"?) or the sycophantic sentiments. The man committed serious crimes and tried to use his position to weasel out of it. He shouldn't be punished more because of his position, but nor should he punished any less. He should be punished according to the severity of the crime, and only then will we be able to say that justice has been served.
6. really?
Ruben ,   Tel Aviv, Israel   (02.22.11)
With the same logic we should just forget the Nazi murderers, cuz they are too old, right? Or anyone else who commits a terrible crime but begs to "go easy" on him because his old or sick. What a twisted logic. Justice, nothing else. Let the rapist sit in prison for as long as the judge decides. I have no mercy for him.
7. If revenge were important you would be right
Bruno ,   Haifa   (02.22.11)
- we've seen Katsav humiliated - and maybe he'll even lose his offices in Tel Aviv, bodyguards, pension etc etc etc etc. But this is also about JUSTICE, and for that he should get the same treatment as any other convicted rapist - namely to be removed from society and jailed. It's not even an open question. If justice is to be equal for all, then as a convicted serial rapist he should be off the streets, period. And his age and former standing are immaterial. It was his position of power that helped him think he could get away with his despicable conduct. It should hardly be his former position that now helps him stay out of prison.
8. Punishment
michaelpielet ,   Boca, usa   (02.22.11)
Its always nice to punish an innocent man. There is not one scintilla of orroborative evidence that a crime ever occurred. No justice in israel for Jewish religiious sephardim.
9. Hopefully the Judges won't See it Your Way
Israelit ,   Israel   (02.22.11)
A criminal should get the appropriate punishment for the crime he committed. It doesn't matter that he's 66. A rapist is not a rapist because he's older? A thief is not a thief because he's reached a certain age? Many of todays problems are caused due to a lack of accountability. Drunk drivers commit murder on the roads, and the worst punishment given out is a slap on the wrist and a suspended drivers license. Hold people responsible for their actions.
10. punishment for public figures
Esther ,   Tel Aviv, Israel   (02.22.11)
Does this mean that you think that public figures should receive lesser sentences? Aren't all people supposed to be equal before the law?
11. You're still talking about this?
Marcella   (02.22.11)
Your PM has completely submitted to Obama's demands and you're still talking about this issue? What's next to discuss? ANYTHING BUT Israel inexorable road to partition and eventual full dismantling? Israelis should be outraged that in the wake of the collapse of the Israeli-Egyptian treaty your government has not backtracked one bit on its plan to partition the country. And now this statement from Mr. Netanyahu: “Israel deeply appreciates the decision by President [Barack] Obama to veto the Security Council resolution today. Israel remains committed to pursuing comprehensive peace with all our neighbors, including the Palestinians. We seek a solution that will reconcile the Palestinians’ LEGITIMATE aspiration for STATEHOOD with Israel’s need for security and recognition.” Is that what you voted for? Is this contradiction of the democratic will of the people acceptable to the majority of Israelis? Is everyone resigned to being manipulated by foreign leaders and weak leadership at home until the bitter end? Katzav has been given a million times more coverage than the mob rape of an American reporter in Cairo. Rape, according to the media, is rape only when it's politically convenient to call it so.
12. Liberalism at its finest
john   (02.22.11)
I'm slowly coming to the realization that liberal extremists - and the author of this op-ed is one of them - are suffering from an illness. Their thought processes just cannot be explained in rational terms.
13. Saddened by this.
Ussishkin ,   Tel Aviv Israel   (02.22.11)
I am an avid reader and fan of Yigal Sarna's writing, but I think he's wrong. We are supposed to be a nation laws and order, a nation of democracy. Far too many people in responsible public positions have flouted those laws and far too many abuse our democracy. It is past time that we acted "pour encourager les autres" - to set an example to them and any others contemplating sidestepping the laws of our land and corroding the foundations of our democracy. Katsav committed a crime and he should serve the appropriate sentence for it. The law is the law without exceptions. The message is "if this is what happens to a president, it could happen to any of us." That is justice.
14. Prison
frank ,   israel   (02.22.11)
What nonsense! like allowing someone out of prison for "humanitarian" reasons. they are in prison because they couldn't live in a humanitarian world. Katsav did more than "rape" women, he underminded his elected position. Basically he stole our freedoms, such as they are. Should he go to jail? Absolutely! Should he go to jail for 20 years? Absolutely! He should die in jail for all i care. I do no subscribe to this "over 50 he is punished enough" - he committed a crime and we are either a country of laws, for everyone, or we live in our current chaos... Without any real punishment the perpatrator didn't really break the law. As a public figure he deserves and should get MORE than the maximum, double or triple....politicians should pay more for their crimes and not less.....age? is all this leading up to, olmert is old so he should be punished? Olmert is over a certain age and has cancer that can only be cured at a football game, so he shouldn't go to jail....liberals love freeing political criminals! But let someone like me commit a crime and suddely my age means I should have known better!!!!
15. To Marcella #11: You reign supreme!!!
Israeli 2   (02.22.11)
16. Lock him up and throw away the key!
Rich ,   Toronto, Canada   (02.22.11)
17. Katsav is innocent
Daniel Rossi ,   NYC, NY   (02.22.11)
All you people make me sick. Where is your sense of decency and fairness?! Harlet "A" and "B" are laughing all the way to the bank, while their stories had more holes that Swiss cheese. I guess you CAN fool all the people all of the time.. If and when harlets "A" and "B" are tried in the media and their dirty laundry is out for all to see, then, only then, you have the right to condemn the man, if you still feel the same. STOP BEING SHEEP!!!
18. Judges have replaced God
A. Abitbol ,   France   (02.23.11)
Katsav was convicted and he must be sent to prison. However, he claims he is innocent. In a democratic country like Israel where justice is independent, a decision taken by judges is legitimate. Nonetheless, our justice system is not perfect. People have already been wrongfully convicted more than once, so if Katsav claims that he is innocent, we must pay attention to what he says. It doesn't mean that we must believe him. It just means that he benefited from a fair trial and therefore, the judgement is legitimate. There are very little chances that he not not guilty, but this possibility cannot be ruled out. I really wonder why people seem to be so sure that he is guilty. Judges are not Gods. They are not perfect Don't forget that being wrongfully convicted can happen to anyone.
19. If it was your daughter
Elie ,   Bnei Brak   (02.23.11)
Maybe you should be given access to the victims so you can feel the lifelong affect from this sinister "man." Your article was written from the comforts of your unblemished soul that cannot feel the hurt of these poor women.
20. Yigal Sarna does not know what a sex offender is
SNS   (02.23.11)
It is clear from the article that Yigal Sarna does not know what a sex offender is. When he writes :Katsav did not offer a hint of regret or catharsis of empathy for the victims. Rather, he fought to the end based on the argument that he is innocent of any crime. The very thought of admitting sin to his children and friends appeared too terrifying and intolerable to him. Hence, his collapse is more grave than usual" Sarna doesn't realize that in the aspect of active denial almost all sex offenders are the same - they deny that they offended because that is what sex offenders do -whether they are a former president, or a doctor, or a teacher, or a rabbi or a street cleaner. It is their modus operandi. So Katzav should be sent to prison as should all sex offenders.
21. A man is convicted he is punished.
A Jerusalemite ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (02.24.11)
The man has been convicted of a specific crime. The law dictates the punishment (jail time) possibilities. This man should be punished like any other that has committed the same crime.
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