How The Mighty Have Fallen

Former president of Israel, Moshe Katsav, was charged and convicted of a series of sex crimes, including rape, and with trying to sway the course of justice. His conviction is bitter-sweet. Bitter, because the then titular leader of Israel has disgraced us all by his crimes. Bitter, because his wife, our former First lady, must accept and live with this fact. Bitter, because he tried to interfere with key witnesses, and thus alter the course of justice.

The other side of the coin is sweet, very sweet indeed. It makes me so proud to know that in this great democracy, no one is above the law. Even the President can be brought to book and charged - and be found guilty. It is so sweet to imagine how huffed and upset the anti-Israel and anti-Semitic racists must be, to have proof shoved down their throats that there is equality and democracy here. And so sweet for women to know that their complaints will get a hearing, no matter who is the object of a (valid) complaint of harassment and sexism.

Israel's Arab citizens also lodge legal claims appeals against the Government time and time again - and get satisfaction in the Israeli court system. Gays, secularists, religious people, single parents, soldiers, bereaved parents - everyone can have their day in court here, and know that the scales of justice in Israel are even.

That knowledge is a very sweet part of my life in Israel.

Jonathan Danilowitz is a Contributing Writer for The Propagandist living in Israel