President Shimon Peres told the opening session of the State Prosecution Convention at Eilat that Israel is not a corrupt country. The conference was attended by Justice Minister Yaakov Ne'eman, outgoing Attorney General Menachem Mazuz and about 500 lawyers.
“I know that there is a heavy feeling on the subject of corruption,” Peres said, “and it is important to stress on this subject that fighting crime is the main thing. The State of Israel is not a corrupt country and the greatest proof of that is the stubborn struggle against corruption, a fight that gives no discounts to high level politicians or ordinary citizens.”
Peres said that the best lesson he received from his mentor, former Prime Minister David Ben Gurion, was to be a moral person. “This is the best advice I can give,” he said. “Wise decisions are those made based upon moral codes.”
Goodbye to Mazuz
In a public conversation with Chief Prosecutor Moshe Lador, the president said: “I would like to express my appreciation for the Attorney General who is completing a six-year term. An Attorney General in Israel wakes up every morning to a new legal dilemma and is tested by the public on a daily basis. This is a very difficult job.”
Turning directly to Mazuz, who sat in the audience, Peres said: “You have crossed the ocean, almost the Sambation [a legendary river that is mentioned in rabbinical literature] with great courage, personal integrity and intelligence. This is an excellent opportunity to thank you on my behalf and on behalf of the State of Israel. We appreciate this and thank you wholeheartedly."