The Supreme Court on Monday 20 Elul is expected to announced its decision regarding an appeal filed by the convicted defendants in the Holyland real estate case.
The defendants in the case were sentenced to prison sentences. They are all appealing. They are asking the High Court to permit them to remain free pending the outcome of the appeal, which is likely to take years, rather than enter prison as they were scheduled to do on September 1st to begin serving their sentences.
Included in the petition are former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Hillel Chaney, former Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupoliansky, Uri Sheetrit, Avigdor Kelner, Danny Dankner, Eli Simchayof, and Meir Rabin.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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3 Responses
Ex justice Theodore Or dropped us a gorgeous hint 5 years ago at the beginning of the indictment,when he said that their decisions are less based on facts than on national goals
While in the U.S. they stand a chance, in Israel it’s a tough call. Some are certainly less guilty than others. Reb Uri Lupoliansky, while he has been convicted no one can equate the egregious behavior of Olmert to his righteous behavior! He did not personally pocket any money as did Mr. O. But in Israel the fact that he did charitable things with the money makes his crime more egregious. Go figure!
Yaapchik – What you do with money you take as a bribe is far less relevant then the fact that you take a bribe.
Yes, R’ Lupoliansky didn’t pocket any of the money and like most people I want to say about that that it’s praiseworthy, but no form of bribe can ever be described as praiseworthy.
R’ Lupoliansky was the mayor of Jerusalem and he took bribes he is also an openly religious man and should therefor be familiar with the concept that Hashem is medakdek with talmidei chachamim more then with pshutei ha’am.
Most justice systems are too, if you were in a ‘higher’/more powerful position you will also be punished more severely for abusing said power.
Since he didn’t pocket any money himself he is not being fined and his probation is shorter, but the crime in the end is the same so should it not be punished the same?
The Torah despises bribes and Beis Din certainly wouldn’t accept not pocketing the money as an excuse.