I first heard of Lisa Goldman's investigation from friends who called me last night to deliver the unwelcome news. I mistakenly thought it was a hoax. It wasn't. According to several media sources, Lisa's investigation, based on the Infiltration Prevention Law has begun.According to Haaretz:
One theory that has been floated is that the main motive for querying the journalists is a desire by the police and State Prosecutor's Office to signal that they do not practice a double standard. The police had summoned for questioning Arab citizens of Israel, including several members of the Knesset who had visited Syria and Lebanon.
While this may be the case, to implicitly draw parallels between Azmi Bishara and Lisa Goldman is laughable at best and a gross perversion of logic at worst. The former is an elected Knesset member who has explicitly articulated his support of Hizbullah during the last summer war and who has visited Syria, Hizbullah's sponsor, on several occasions. On the other hand, Lisa is a journalist whose alleged "crime" is reporting from an enemy state. As far as we all know, her visit to Beirut was performed within a journalistic framework and she had no contact with any political organizations.
On the face of it, Lisa's visit to Lebanon did straddle the line between adventurousness and recklessness. If that's her crime, then she should be lined up and shot, along with all those independent journalists who have the audacity of reporting from dangerous locales. How dare they refreshingly complement the rather insipid mainstream media? By what temerity do they risk their lives to inform the rest of us arm-chair Marco-Polos?
That said, Lisa's widespread readership is a testament to the stimulating nature of her work as well as her nuanced and open-spirited approach to issues both political and otherwise.
May this undeserved tribulation pass quickly - for the sake of Lisa and her many readers.
48 comments:
The law in Israel can bend into many directions, Nizo. Many overstep the law and nobody ever say anything, but they will use it against you 'on a later date' if they so desire.
You may find this with all the 'pending cases' against politicians, and even with 'sudden' perpetrations with those gaining influence - like in the past Nethanyahu and Ariyeh Deri.
Whoever decides to suddenly apply the law have an agenda at hand. Who knows why they want to persecute journalists all of a sudden. If journalists aren't allowed to go to 'enemy' countries we wouldn't have the brilliant reporting of Itai Engel from Iraq as well. Let alone had him be the personal GUEST of Haniyeh -
Thanks for this, albi.
Tsedek is right that in Israel the law is too often applied selectively in order to advance political agendas. I have a pretty good idea of who is behind this stupid investigation, but I can't say just now (soon, though).
I'm pretty sure this story will blow over quickly. The state prosecutor would have a difficult time explaining why he singled out three journalists for prosecution when there are around a dozen Israeli journos who travel regularly to enemy countries on foreign passports - and have been doing so for years. In fact, the law against infiltration has never been enforced in the 50+ years it's been in the books.
I'm still waiting for a supportive email from Azmi Bishara, though... ;)
If journalists aren't allowed to go to 'enemy' countries we wouldn't have the brilliant reporting of Itai Engel from Iraq as well. Let alone had him be the personal GUEST of Haniyeh -
the police said that they are investigating journalists who traveled without permits from the interior ministry, not just every journalist ...
but i agree that it's time to change this practice ... the state should limit its role to publishing a list of neighboring countries classified by the degree of risk associating with traveling to them ... the decision to go there should be a private matter ...
of course it should go with the understanding that those who get kidnapped by hezbollah or whoever should not expect the whole country to go out of its way to get them back by releasing prisoners ... more personal freedom should mean more personal responsibility
Seems to be an odd investigation, certainly, but from the fact that journalists who traveled to enemy states without a permit very recently are all investigated, I'd say that one of the three pissed someone off, and this someone is trying to repay the favor. The investigation won't amount to anything other than an amazing waste of time for all involved, in my opinion, but apparently someone is quite glad to use up police resources for such idiotic reasons.
nah .. i bet it's because of lebanon .. lisa goldman's visit has created a whole scandal there ... then daniel sharon ... never mind tanenbaum ... ... too many volunteers to make a company for the two soldiers already in hezbollah's captivity ... enough is enough ... if somebody else gets caught hezbollah automatically raises the price for their release .. means negotiations will be even more difficult ...
Actually, Nobody, Roman is correct. The investigation was indeed instigated by an Israeli civil servant who has a personal grudge against one of the journalists currently under investigation.
One of the journalists made a formal complaint against the civil servant last year. As a result of that complaint - actually a deposition - the civil servant is currently under investigation by the legal department of the civil service for some very serious breaches of conduct - breaches for which he stands to lose his job and his credibility.
I cannot write more at this point, but as soon as I've cleared everything with the necessary people I will write the story up on my blog.
breaches for which he stands to lose his job and his credibility.
really .. do you mean olmert is finished ??
isn't it great when political correctness is used as a weapon?
Sheeeesh.
As has been said, this is bullshit and everyone involved knows this. I want to hang the moron who's wasting my hard-earned cash on this.
NB - can't be Olmert. He doesn't have any credibility, never had any, and wouldn't know what it is if you poke him in the eye with it.
rakun
i think that in this country when we say 'to lose credibility' it's a kinda figure of speech so to say ...
Warm welcome to Alnemat TheGrace Arabic Christian Internet Magazine, We love you! Please visit us at:
http://www.TheGrace.net
http://www.TheGrace.org
http://www.TheGrace.com
نتمنى لكم الفرح والسلام والمحبة لأن السلام افضل من الحرب والمحبة افضل من الكراهية كما ان النور أفضل من الظلمة
سلام لكم في محبة الله.نتأمل زياراتكم الكريمة لموقع النعمة موقع مجلة النعمة يقدم كلمة الله الكتاب المقدس الإنجيل رسالة السيد يسوع المسيح قراءات مختارة مواضيع مصيرية قصص واقعية شهادات شخصية ترانيم ممتازة ردود مؤكدة كتب بنّاءة رسوم تسالي تأملات يوميات
Bible Read search in Arabic Studys Stories Testimonies Hymns and Poems Answers Books Links Daily devotions Acappella Music Graphics /
Alnemat Journal Arabe Chrétien La Grâce la Revue Arabe sur Internet offre La Sainte Bible Al-Injil L’Evangile de Jésus Christ gratuit, Bienvenue a La Grâce.
Arabic Christian Magazine The Grace offering the Arabic Bible النعمة تقدم الإنجيل الكتاب المقدس
I don't think we're talking about an MK here, people, a bit more down the ladder.
The problem with such complaints is that when they're formally made, they have to be investigated, just in case. The law *is* there, after all, but the path from investigation to court is a long one. The system is sometimes easy to exploit, and in this case at least it looks to be little more than tedious ripples caused by a drowning crook.
Thank you, Nizo, for this. I was pleased to read in Haaretz its editorial on this subject, which concludes —
"... The state is not the nanny of its citizens, and interrogations for the purpose of deterrence are harmful. One might expect the attorney general to nip this behavior in the bud."
Thank you Nizo for your brilliant blog and for your enlightened support of Lisa. Let's hope it blows over and we get to hear the whole story as soon as possible. It certainly reeks of "political agenda."
:) thanks to all for your comments.. Lisa will prevail.. this is nothing but a minor blip.
Yikes. I hope that bullying, corrupt, protectzia-monger gets his due. He is a cancer. Higiya hazman.
well RK
duuno about this conspiracy theory with a corrupt official ... i see that daniel sharon was inducted today and there is that druz MK ... i think it's more than someone's personal revenge
Lisa knew what she was doing was against the law.
Had she been caught she would have caused problems for Israel as they might decide to negotiate for her release.
The argument that the law is enforced selectively is really no excuse. The solution to that isn't not to enforce it on Lisa but to enforce it on the others as well.
Some people are so arrogant as to think that they are beyond the law. Lisa did the crime, she should be willing now to do the time.
I agree with Gus, I have nothing personal with Lisa but the truth is that she is a member of the PRIVILEGED elite thet think they can get way with anything.The main difference between israel and the region's states is that this is a country based on the rule of law. If you break the law, you should be punished. If Lisa is unwilling to live within the laws of israel, then she should move to BEIRUT.
YEAH, Lisa, if you hate America so much, you should just move to communist Russia! I mean BEIRUT! Or Calgary, or...something. You know, like "Anonymous" said. (That guy is QUOTABLE!)
curt I'm not a guy so take off your SEXIST glasses. if you had a leg to stand on you would be voicing your views properly instead of attacking mine.
There's nothing that chastens me like an anonymous commenter on a blog. Wait. That's not right. An anonymous commenter on a blog doesn't chasten me. Yeah. That's right. (And, come on, you have to admit, you do kind of look like a dude.)
Gus,
I think that the
Haaretz editorial that Tamar brought up is a balanced way of seeing things given that the intent of the three Israeli journalists wasn't to inflict harm on the nation's interests.
To punish these journalists by making them serve time would be an obtuse miscarriage of justice and a waste of resources.
Besides, Lisa entered Lebanon legally, on a valid Canadian passport. If the Ministry of Justice wants people to crucify (and to enforce the law in a non-selective manner, as you say), they can start with Mossad agents who
use forged Canadian passports to infiltrate enemy states. Not only are these agents breaking Israel's own Prevention of Infiltration Law but they're also breaking Canadian anti-forgery laws and indirectly putting the lives of real Canadian citizens in danger.
I sincerely hope that justice won't be meted out in the Hammurabi-esque fashion that you propose.
Anonymous,
You know not what you speak.
If Lisa was the member of the elite she would have bought her way out of this balagan by now.
Furthermore, it's not merely the presence of laws, but their careful and nuanced interpretation that determines a country's level of advancement.
Besides, given your shrill tone, you sure have chutzpah to ask Curt for ad hominem.
If Lisa was *a member...
Mossad agents are supposed to infiltrate enemy countries. That's what spies do.
Mossad is the coolest spy agency in the world. It is cooler than even MI6.
its definitely an interesting one..
in israel many laws are selectively enforced.. not just because of political motives but also because israeli society is largely disobedient culturally.. sometimes it results in charming situations.. other times its dangerous.. ultimately both are determined in retrospect..
drunk drivers are not always restrained.. highway speeding is barely controlled..
then again the consensus on corruption - for example - is that its bad and so you see a lot of stuff going on around that..
you need to also keep in mind that in smaller countries there is increased likelihood of a neighbourhood syndrom..
anyway.. i dont think paternalistic laws are bad.. everyone should wear seatbelts.. whether or not we like it.. and i dont think "ignorance" of a law should be an excuse.. and frankly "intent" is only relevant in some infringements.. not most..
more than anything i think that lisa's work in lebanon was very important - she gave the nation a full unobstructed window to the fact that beirut has people just like us.. with lives just like us.. a vision that our mainstream media has worked generations to convince us doesnt exist..
having said that - lisoosh - you gotta be careful.. the fact that others do it has rarely been a successful defence facing any sort of prosecution..
i think its hard to be angry at any institution with respect to enforcement - it sjust a bit sad that for us its the exception often rather than the norm..
secondly - i dont think that travel advisory should be a matter for the ministry of defence necessarily.. in most countries its more of a foreign affairs - int relations issue which is a bit more suited to my mind..
anyway - looks like its over..
Gus,
"Mossad agents are supposed to infiltrate enemy countries. That's what spies do."
And reporters report.
I was merely attempting to show you how absurd your monochrome application of justice is.
Besides, Mossad's "coolness" factor and how it compares to other agencies is completely irrelevant to this discussion.
i think the problem is that we got these two soldiers ... and if another israeli gets caught it will complicate negotiations ... it will delay the soldiers release ... people should keep this in mind ... it's more than their personal safety ...
in my view as long as we have hostages in lebanon and gaza people should avoid entering palestinian territories and lebanon ...
Lisa should have realized that her loyalty towards Israel comes way before whatever journalistic duties she may feel she has.
Especially when a country is at war, journalists need to think of national security first. By putting herself in a position where the enemy could have captured her and used her capture to their benefit Lisa was obviously thinking selfishly and not of Israel.
Lisa seems like a nice person but still she needs to know that she can't go around just breaking laws whenever she likes. Perhaps a prison term will get the message across to her.
Who knows, it might even save her life. If you have been reading her blog for the last few years she has been taking more and more risks. If she is in jail she won't be out there doing stupid things that could get her raped, tortured and killed. And of course she will not be doing harm to her fellow Israelis who would indeed be hurt if she is captured and they had to negotiate her release by allowing terrorists to go free.
"Mossad agents are supposed to infiltrate enemy countries. That's what spies do."
And reporters report.
But Mossad does what it does to protect the national security of Israel. Reporters often harm that national security.
It wasn't always that way. At one time Reporters realized that patriotism comes first and would put whatever journalistic ambitions they had aside when it harmed the national interest.
An example must be made of Lisa not only to send a message to her but to send a message to all reporters out there who don't consider national interests first when reporting.
Mossad has earned the respect and yes the fear of the entire world, and it would be a sign of national suicide if other Israeli institutions go after it for doing its job of infiltrating other countries for the purpose of protecting Israeli interests and providing vital information that would help Israel defend itself.
Mossad has proven itself better than intelligence agencies from countries much bigger than and with more resources than Israel. It is much better than the CIA when it comes to HUMINT though with its greater resources the CIA has the advantage on SIGINT, IMINT, and MASINT.
"she gave the nation a full unobstructed window to the fact that Beirut has people just like us.. with lives just like us.."
That means nothing when Hezbollah launches missiles from over there onto Israeli villages.
Whether true or not, it was the wrong time for that kind of message to be heard. It just serves to weaken resolve.
You know, the Germans, during World War II, in many ways were just like us. In fact in the docudrama "Band of Brothers" (rent it on video if you can) there was a scene where this American Soldier met this German prisoner and found out that the German prisoner had grown up in the state of Oregon, and they briefly talked about the common places that they both knew.
The American soldier thought wow, I go all the way to Europe just to meet someone from near my hometown and he is a German. It sure seemed like they had a lot in common.
As he walked away he heard gun shots. The prisoner had just been executed. That shocked the American soldier into the reality of it all. Yeah, they might have had a lot in common, but in the end, it was war, and he might have been a nice guy but he was still the enemy.
Here is the video on that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAlLYy5fHL0
Nizo, tell Gus he's monopolizing the comments! ;)
There's an Arabic saying that goes:
الكلاب تنبح والقافله تسير
Al-Kilaabu Tanbah w'Al-Qafila Taseer
The dogs bark, but the caravan passes on.
Sorry I didn't mean to dominate the comments, but I do believe that Lisa should pay for what she has done.
ok gus
run along now and conduct an audit on the traffic offences you've committed throughout your life.. these are also life threatening and when the risk materialises it hurts the larger community and the economy suffers..
go confess the guilt to your local authority and pay up you criminal! and each time that you reversed out of a parking spot and didnt wear your seat belt is also included..
no corner cutting ye'hear?
Yeah, my traffic offenses rank up there with the harm to national security that could have happened if Lisa had been caught and paraded around by Hezbollah as a "Zionist Spy" (as you know they would have called her).
Hopefully Israel wouldn't have done anything to get her back (which for her would be unfortunate and that is too bad as she seems like a nice person) but they might have decided to trade prisoners for her or planned some rescue mission risking the lives of special forces.
Sorry, all my traffic mistakes combined doesn't even come close to being comparable to the harm Lisa could have done to Israel.
She needs to be jailed to send a message to herself as well as others who might consider something similar. And again, who knows. It might just save her life if it prevents her from going on one of these escapades in the future.
whatever
Also I think it is an invalid argument to say just because the law has been irregularly enforced that means it shouldn't be enforced in the case of Lisa.
No, what it means is that they should start enforcing it in the other cases as well.
And going to an enemy country (unless you are a spy and you are doing it on behalf of your country's national security effort) is hardly like a speeding ticket. It is indeed a serious offense.
gus
i think we have exhausted this subject ... it's time to move on .. most people are plainly bored of discussing it anymore
gus likes to drag on :D
So, what's the outcome?
yawn....
waiting for Nizo to post a new installment and get going all over again?
:D :D :D
Thanks for the post, Nizo.
I'm pretty shocked by the comments of people like Gus and Anonymous. You really want Lisa et al. to go to jail? And please, Nobody, is this really the time to make excuses for this decision to prosecute the journalists? A little bit of compassion.
Well, I hope Nizo is right and that this all blows over soon.
check you owwt and your flashy new look..
anyway thought ud be interested to read this article..
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/935521.html
...please where can I buy a unicorn?
Post a Comment