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| By: Roee Mendel |
| Published: December 7, 2006 |
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According to the recent barometer compiled by the International Transparency Organization 66 percent of Israelis believe that the government isn't doing enough to battle corruption.
In fact, the data indicates that 16 percent of respondents believe that the Israeli government is actually encouraging corruption, while no less than 86 percent believe that corruption influences Israeli politics.
This is the fourth annual barometer made public by the organization, which polled 500 people and examined the manner in which the Israeli public relates to corruption and its influence on politics, the economy and the personal lives of citizens.
The poll reveals a difficult relation between the public and its perception of an ever expanding corruption in every walk of life and primarily in politics.
Political parties top the barometer with an awarded grade of 4.2 out of a possible 5 on the corruption scale. The Knesset comes in second with 3.8 while the country's religious institutions were given a grade of 3.6.
'Corruption directly influences lives'
The Israeli police, who are currently facing a substantial public rage over the escape of serial rapist Benny Sela and the findings of the Zeiler Commission , stand fourth with a score of 3.3. The private sector finds itself in the middle of the scale with a grade of 3.2, the same as the grade given to the non-governmental organizations (NGO).
And does Israeli public opinion have to say about the media? Not much to be proud of with a 3.1 score and the dubious honor of seventh place. The same grade was also given to service providers such as the electrical, water and communications companies. Tax collection and medical services received 3.0 and 2.9 respectively.
At the other end of the spectrum are the judiciary system with 2.8 and the education system with 2.6. And bringing up the rear - despite harsh criticism of the general staff and numerous failings uncovered during the second war in Lebanon -- is the IDF with a score of 2.2 on the corruption barometer.
Fifty-eight percent of Israelis believe that corruption directly influences their lives and 81 percent believe it has an impact on business. The international barometer is conducted in 62 countries, polling some 59,661 citizens over the age of 15.
This article first appeared on Ynet. |
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