Arafat diverted $900 million says the IMF

[Sirotnikov]

Campaign financing and David Appel. Doesn't ring a bell?

Campaign financing is a joke.

It's a silly old law, meant to give equal chances to the big and small parties.

But the truth is, that all the large parties always brake the law. Labor is also investigated. So are other parties. I think Meretz as well, though I'm not sure.

The reality is that you can't run a large campaign using the money allotment allowed by law. This is a law that can't be observer and should be done away with.

If a small party really wants to become big, it will have to break that law several folds to reach anything.


As for the Apel case, it is not clear. It is an evidence of a conflict of interests, and possible abuse of political power. And it isn't over yet.

Not to say it isn't a form of corruption, it is however very different from pocketing state funds. It's more like accepting bribe, which is different.


--

As far as Arafat's money goes, I don't really understand the phrase "in public domain" in regards to the Palestinian Assets.

Just because they are in public domain, doesn't mean that they actually belong to the public.

It is known that most of the economic companies in the PA are personally owned by Arafat and his close friends. The gas company, the water company, the cement company and so on.

[Sirotnikov]

Yeah it's a nice idea. Leadership vacuum with the palestinians, Arafat in exile as the palestinian hero... what better opportunity than this to expand Israeli settlements?

I'm willing to bet you that the leadership vacuum will be very very short.

I'm also willing to bet you that nothing of the scale of a civil war will occur.

[HershOstropoler]

"As far as Arafat's money goes, I don't really understand the phrase "in public domain" in regards to the Palestinian Assets."

It means that a fund owned by the PA owns those assets, if I understand the IMF report correctly. Of course you can play all kinds of gmaes by placing your cronies in that fund and the companies etc...

"I'm willing to bet you that the leadership vacuum will be very very short."

I doubt that very much, if "leader" means someone who can sell some unpleasant compromises.

"I'm also willing to bet you that nothing of the scale of a civil war will occur."

Well that depends on other issues.

[lord of the mark]

anyone notice that there haven't been any major terrorist attacks on Israel since they threatened to expel Arafat?

Looks like somebody got the message.

[Sirotnikov]

hehehe