On Friday the Israel Police issued a statement to the press that raised more questions than it answered: "Without confirming or denying anything that has been claimed in various reports about the manner in which information was obtained by law enforcement agencies, we can say that the investigation is focused solely on examining the suspicions of criminal offenses pertaining to the appointment of judges, and is not focused on other issues. Due to the sensitive nature of the subject matter, the police and State's Attorney have limited their focus in this regard."
What's being said here is clear: At present, police are investigating the "appointments for sex" case, which was exposed by the phone of former Israel Bar Association chair Effi Naveh being broken into. What's interesting, however, is what police aren't investigating. The investigation "is not focusing on other issues," according to the police statement, effectively revealing the fact that there are indeed "other issues" deserving of inquiry.
What are these "other issues?" We can only guess. Those who have seen the evidence in question know it could affect Israeli society, high and low. Effi Naveh was active in different circles โ business, legal, political. Who else has Naveh spoke to? Judges? Politicians? Business leaders? What could come to light about the behind-the-scenes interactions with people whom Naveh himself has referred to as "our friends who help us in the Knesset?"
That this investigation could go in many different directions is undoubtedly causing quite a few people to lose sleep. It would be very convenient for the system to keep the affair in its current place as "tabloid" fodder over relatively minor judicial appointments, and stave off the massive tsunami that threatens to devour everything in its path. This cannot be allowed to happen. The judicial system and the mechanism for appointing judges are extremely compartmentalized, without transparency or public access. Because the Judicial Selection Committee's meetings lack almost any official protocol, the shady deals and political bartering that takes place behind these closed doors has never been exposed.
Many senior judiciary officials are now lamenting "the damage to the public trust" this affair is causing. And they are justified in doing so. But anyone who thinks that "eliminating" Naveh and removing one female judge will fix the situation is mistaken. Until the investigation isn't thoroughly exhausted, and until the unreasonable status of the Israel Bar Association isn't drastically and comprehensively revised, along with the manner in which judges are appointed, there's no reason for anyone to restore their faith in the system.
