The Sound of Silence

This will be my first -and hopefully my only- posting on the fact that the Israeli President has now been indicted on 4 counts of sexual assault.

While many others are up in arms and making lots of noise, I personally feel that these are very grave charges, and as such, they - and those involved- need to be treated sensitively, as opposed to sensationalised at a rate of decibels. Politicians and fighureheads are decrying him at full volume left right and centre (literally), while he, together with a phlanx of followers traversing the whole country and far beyond, is very loudly protesting his innocence until proven guilty. As is his absolute right. (Although note he will be not be subject to a trial unless he actually resigns, as opposed to taking leave of absence which he is currently doing- something which the law could quite possibly extend indefinitely.)

All I personally have to say on the matter is that these are sad times. But there's nothing new in that statement. However, pertaining to this incredibly complicated and painful development, wherein our no.1 citizen has been indicted on such serious charges, my main concern is this: Whatever the outcome of this media witch-hunt against Katsav, and/or his eventual trial, my most fervent hope remains that the ongoing backlash against those who have lodged charges against our President will not intimidate any abused women, children and men around the world into silence, or somehow convince them that seeking justice against perpetrators of violence against them is fruitless, futile or dangerous. For that is not the case. And we as a society cannot allow that to become the case ever again.

Maybe that's too much to hope for? Well, clearly it was also too much to hope for that the leadership of the State of Israel wouldn't have turned out to be such a chronic disappointment.

PS If this- and the rest of the visible rotting of Israeli society- is getting you down, I highly recommend this article.