The Movement for Quality Government in Israel

Press Release summaries
19/10/07	The Movement for Quality Government petitioned the Supreme Court to issue an order instructing the Winograd Commission to cancel its decision not to publish conclusions and recommendations regarding specific individuals in its final report. The Movement also filed an interim motion for an order instructing the Committee to refrain from submitting its final report until a decision on the main petition. Read More
23/09/07	The Movement for Quality Government approached the Attorney General with a request that the State Commissioner not be involved in the election of the next State Prosecutor. The Movement notes that the State Prosecutor is the legal body heading the State’s Prosecution Service, and among his many duties bears responsibility for the prosecution elements of the enforcement of sound administration in the State of Israel. In view of some concrete findings concerning serious flaws in Hollander's functioning, his involvement in the procedures of electing the next State Attorney is inappropriate.
22/01/07	The Movement for Quality Government in Israel petitioned to the High Court of Justice, not to appoint a Chief of General Staff- at least not until the publicity of Vinograd's committee intermediate report which should be published in a few weeks time.
21/01/07	Corruptions revealer in the economic company Kiryat Shmona, appealed to the national labor court threw the Movement for Quality Government's prosecutors about Nazareth regional court's decision, not to return him to the job he recently was fired from as a result of the corruptions exposure.
15/01/07	In the light of the threats over the general accountant and his family, the Movement for Quality Government has requested the Prime Minister to support the general accountant and to clarify that he will not support criminal threats and illegitimate pressures aimed to senior public servants.
07/01/07	The Movement for Quality Government protests against the lack of a comprehensive settlement regarding the employing of external legal advisers in local authorities, which costs the public 100 million shekels more per year.
02/01/07	The Movement for Quality Government demands from the attorney general and the civil service commissioner to achieve an immediate decision whether to suspend Shula Zaken and the rest of the interrogatees under warning from their duty in the tax authority in the view of the publications of the criminal investigation against them. As a result, the commissioner announced that he began to examine the suspension.
17/12/06	The Movement for Quality Government requests the attorney general and the government to act firmly in order to prevent the annulment of the government's accountants independence.
13/12/06	The Movement for Quality Government requests the attorney general to initiate a criminal investigation concerning the political appointments from Olmert's period as the chief minister of the small enterprises authority.
07/12/06	The Movement for Quality Government demands the Minister of Finance to cancel the decision to exempt from tender setting up credit to local authorities and the decision to embrace the authority of the chief accountant.
10/12/06	As a result of the Movement for Quality Government's petition, the ministry of the interior established a regulation for money allocating from the minister of the interior's reserve treasury, which concludes in 153 million shekels a year and is used for grant's division which sums up to millions of shekels to the local authorities. Considering this, the Movement agreed to blot out the petition.
26/11/06	The Movement for Quality Government petitioned to the high court of justice against ILA (Israel Lands Administration) demanding it to implement an assets survey about the leased Israeli lands and to collect the information about the leased Israeli lands which are to be found in other administration authorities.
23/11/06	The state informed the high court of justice that it plans on appointing soon a welfare minister. Considering this, the Movement for Quality Government has pulled her petition to the high court of justice in which it demanded to appoint a welfare minister in a full time position while saving it's right to file another petition if the appointment will be thwarted.
12/11/2006	The Movement for Quality Government in Israel was the sole civil society NGO and only representative from Israel invited to address participants from over 130 countries at "The First Annual Conference of The International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities" that recently took place in Beijing, China.
2/11/2006	The Movement for Quality Government in Israel (MQG) and Adam Teva v'Din - Israel Union for Environmental Defense have appealed to the members of the Knesset to preserve and strengthen the Office of the Future Generations Commissioner. The importance of that institution stems not only from its long-term future planning, but also from its integration of social and environmental considerations into the parliamentary decision making process.
24/10/2006	The Movement for Quality Government in Israel opens new branch of The Legal Hotline in "HaMichlala LeMinhal" (College of Management)
5/10/2006	The Movement for Quality Government in Israel (MQG) wrote to the Attorney General Menachem Mazuz, requesting that he instruct the members of the examination committee headed by judge emeritus Eliyahu Vinograd to adhere to an explicit and constant procedure for dealings with examinees, to record a protocol of every meeting, and to hold meetings on its own premises, not on those of examinees. MQG also requested that the Attorney General comment regarding newspaper articles according to which Meni Ben-Chaim, the secretary of the examination committee, was previously a central activist in the election headquarters of PM Olmert's party, "Kadima".
20/9/2006	The Movement for Quality Government petitioned The High Court of Justice yesterday (September 19 2006) against the government's decision to establish an examination committee headed by Judge emeritus Eliyahu Vinograd
15/8/2006	Based on the petition in 2004 of The Movement for Quality Government to The Chairman of the Knesset Committee against Tzahi Hanegbi, and based on the State Comptroller's findings that followed this petition, Attorney General, Meacham Mazuz has announced today that he has decided to indict former Minister Tzachi Hanegbi on suspicion of making political appointments during his term as environment minister.
10/8/2006	As a result of the continuing war and the distress of the needy residents in the north area of Israel, The Movement for Quality Government (MQG) sent a letter to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert requesting that he appoints immediately minister of welfare
8/8/2006	The Movement for Quality Government (MQG) sent a letter to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert requesting that he establish an organization to aid residents of the front line of the conflict with Lebanon.
7/31/2006	The High Court of Justice, through a panel of Justices Grunis, Cheshin, and Hayut, rejected the Movement for Quality Government's petition to instruct the State to delay proceedings for the privatization of the Ashdod refinery until crucial public interests are ensured. An explanation for the rejection will be released at a later date.
7/30/2006	This week, president of the National Labor Court, Judge Steve Adler, established a case law that protects whistle-blowers in public service and determines the State's obligation to act to protect them and restore to them anything they have lost as a result of their companies' reactions to their whistle-blowing.
7/27/2006	The Movement for Quality Government in Israel petitioned the High Court of Justice to ensure that substantial compensation is given to those suffering financially as a result of the current conflict with Lebanon.
7/27/2006	The Movement for Quality Government in Israel petitioned the High Court of Justice to instruct the State to delay proceedings for the privatization of the Ashdod refinery until crucial public interests are ensured.
7/25/2006	The Movement for Quality Government in Israel issued a statement that the transfer of ownership of the land in the Ashdod refinery privatization proceedings must be prevented. The privatization proceedings, the MQG says, must lead neither to the relinquishment of public benefit from State lands nor to the establishment of a loophole that will encourage future transformation of the lands to real estate benefiting only the interests of the wealthy.
7/24/2006	The Movement for Quality Government in Israel demands that the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense issue a statement regarding the national emergency situation in order to create a more equal distribution of the economic burden due to the conflict in the North.
7/20/2006	The Movement for Quality Government in Israel and the Non-profit Association for Sound Government in Lod presented an administrative petition to the Tel Aviv District Court to remove Lod Municipal Comptroller Mr. Avi Frumerman.
7/17/2006	The Movement for Quality Government has requested that the appointment processes for vice presidents of the Tel Aviv District Court be clarified.
7/12/2006	Today, following a petition by the Movement for Quality Government, the High Court of Justice issued orders nisi to the authorities of nine cities, who, illegally, have failed to appoint internal auditors. Supreme Court Justices Rivlin, Hayut, and Rubinstein have ordered the councils of Or Akiva, Beit Dagan, Sderot, Tamra, Meiliya, Kazir Harish, Segev Shalom, Dir Chana, and Maaleh Iron, to justify this failure within 60 days.
7/11/2006	The High Court of Justice calls upon Knesset to abolish an inequity in its basic budget law that discriminates against hundreds of educational institutions that do not belong to either the Independent Education Center or the Torah Education Spring, the educational institution of the Shas party.
7/11/2006	The Movement for Quality Government in Israel calls for an immediate end to the negotiations between the Bank of Israel and the Attorney General regarding the salaries of the Bank's employees and for an immediate decision regarding these illegally high payments. The MQG calls for discontinuation of payment and significant returns of funds from employees and administrators who have received such payment, whether in the form of wages, retirement grants, or pensions; the MQG also claims that the current group agreement of Bank employees threatens to make these illicit benefits appear legal.
7/10/2006	22,820 citizens signed the Movement for Quality Government's community Anti-Corruption Treaty. The signatures will be submitted tomorrow, Tuesday, at 5:30 PM to Knesset Chairman MK Dalia Itzik.
7/9/2006	The Movement for Quality Government in Israel has called for the Attorney General to order an investigation into all sides of the claims regarding President Moshe Katzsav; the MQG is not currently siding with either the President or the plaintiffs.
7/5/2006	The Movement for Quality Government in Israel appeals to Knesset Members to oppose a law forbidding immediate release of names of those suspected of fiscal crimes.
7/4/2006	The Movement for Quality Government to the Prime Minister: In light of Minister Without Portfolio Yaakov Edri's comment that his position is purposeless, revoke his position and save public funds.
7/4/2006	The Movement for Quality Government requests that the Minister of Health and the Attorney General investigate the "Meuchedet" HMO's procedure for general manager appointments
7/3/2006	The Movement for Quality Government petitioned the High Court of Justice to order the Israeli Government to remove Shmuel Hollander, Esq., from his post as Civil Service Commissioner, and to appoint a new Commissioner in his place. The petition was presented in light of severe negligence in Hollander's service and the service of the Commission; these caused damage to the office the Commission, the hiring processes for State employees, and public faith in Governmental procedure.
6/27/2006	The Movement for Quality Government appealed to the Finance Minister to freeze distribution of all monies to public bodies that broke the law by ignoring a request for transparency regarding employees' salaries and pensions. The MQG has also requested from the Minister of the Interior, the Attorney General, and local municipalities connected to these bodies to remove from office those responsible for this lack of report. The MQG has also requested from the bodies themselves that did not provide the report, to do so immediately.
6/26/2006	The Movement for Quality Government appealed to the heads of Knesset factions to pass the bill of MK Gideon Saar to limit the number of ministers in the Government
6/26/2006	The Movement for Quality Government petitioned the High Court of Justice to order the Attorney General to open a criminal investigation into the actions of Nir Gilad, who was appointed Deputy CEO of the Israel Corporation, Ltd shortly after playing an instrumental role as the Government Accountant General in granting massive payments to the Israel Corporation, Ltd. in the "Bazan (Oil Refinery Company ltd.) agreements" . The investigation would evaluate both Gilad's actions as Accountant General and the circumstances surrounding his subsequent appointment by the Israel Corporation.
6/25/2006	The Movement for Quality Government demands that Minister Avraham Hirshzon immediately tell the public which authority is threatening him.
6/25/06	The Movement for Quality Government urges the Minister of Finance to deny any attempt, direct or indirect, to remove Dr. Yaron Zelica from his post as Chief Accountant in the Ministry of Finance.
6/19/2006	The Movement for Quality Government in Israel petitioned the High Court of Justice to order the Commissioner of Public Sector Salaries and Labor Agreements in the Finance Ministry to release the names of those who receive unusual high salaries .
6/15/2006	The Movement for Quality Government in Israel has sent a letter to the Attorney General, the Minister of Finance, the manager of the Bank of Israel, and the Ministry of Justice division of employee disputes urging the prevention of a salary agreement that will perpetuate the overpaying of Bank of Israel employees. The letter was sent as a warning before the case is brought to court.
6/13/2006	The Movement for Quality Government in Israel demands that the Minister of the Interior, the State Comptroller, The State Legal Advisor, the general manager of the Ministry of the Interior, and the Ministry of the Interior Comptroller immediately call for the dismissal of Northern District Commissioner Herzl Gedge.
6/12/2006	Due to concerns about a serious conflict of interest, the Movement for Quality Government in Israel demands that the Regional Council Head of "Chof Hacarmel" (beach area), Carmel Sela, end all communications with the Naama Malis Architecture and Urban Design Firm about the planning of a master building project in Atlit city.
6/11/2006	The Movement for Quality Government to the Health Minister, to the Attorney General, and to appointed committees of the Civil State Commission: Dr. Ehud Frishman is not qualified to serve as general manager of the Ministry of Health
6/6/2006	The Movement for Quality Government in Israel has requested that the State Comptroller conduct investigations into the recent electrical blackouts of the Israel Electrical Company. The fact, the MQG says that the Israel Electrical Company, which monopolizes Israeli electricity, is failing to meet electricity demands even at the early stages of summer, endangering the lives of all Israeli citizens, is unacceptable and requires immediate inquiry.
6/5/2006	In light of the findings of the State Comptroller report, the Movement for Quality Government demands the immediate dismissal of Sinai Gilboa, Esq., from his position as deputy mayor of the Petah Tikvah Municipality.
5/24/2006	Due to the State Comptroller's report of comprehensive failings in the Civil Service Commissioner's service, the Movement for Quality Government calls on the Prime Minister, the Finance Minister, and the Attorney General to dismiss the Commissioner.
5/23/2006	The Movement for Quality Government in Israel calls upon the State Comptroller to assess the personal responsibility of Nir Gilad, former Chief Accountant in the Ministry of Finance, in the "Bazan agreement" , (oil refinery agreement), during which Gilad, acting in the name of the State, granted half billions of shekels in public funds to the Israel Corporation. This action alone provides grounds for investigation; these grounds are strengthened in light of the fact that shortly after the agreements, Minister Gilad was appointed to Deputy CEO of the Israel Corporation, Ltd.
5/21/2006	The Movement for Quality Government in Israel calls upon the Ministers of Finance, Health, and Retirement, to refuse Mr. Sammy Ofer's offered three million shekel donation for cancer medication; this refusal would help prevent the State from removing its responsibility for its citizens' health.
5/16/2006	At the Jerusalem Quality Government Convention today, MK Binyamin Netanyahu said that corruption in the State is growing powerful and must be stopped by empowering the State Comptroller, enforcing the law, and promoting transparency and exposure of corruption in the media.
5/15/2006	At the first Quality Government Convention, President Katzav announced that he has established a national, official, public board for the inspection of the structure of the Israeli government. Also at the convention, the survey results of Avi Degani of The Geocartography Institute were released: 74% of citizens believe public officers are concerned only with their personal interests.
5/14/2006	The first Quality Government Convention in Jerusalem—"The Struggle for Integrity"—will open tomorrow on Monday in Jerusalem. The convention, which will be attended by President Katsav and honored guests from Israel and abroad, was organized by the Movement and Academy for Quality Government. It will take place in "Binyanei Hauma" building and continue until Wednesday.
5/11/2006	The High Court of Justice issued a statement regarding its postponement of the petition of the Movement for Quality Government in the Bazan (Oil Refinery company Ltd.) case in which it voiced extremely harsh criticism of the fundamentally deficient manner in which State government authorities conducted themselves; such misconduct led eventually to millions of shekels being paid inappropriately to the Israel Corporation and The Ofer Brothers Group.
5/10/2006	The Movement for Quality Government calls upon the Attorney General to order a criminal investigation into possible fraudulent activity on the part of land lessees from The Israel Land Administration who allegedly take funds received from the national treasury for industrial uses of the land and uses them to exploit the land for other uses and greater profit.
6/15/2006	The Movement for Quality Government in Israel has sent a letter to the Attorney General, the Minister of Finance, the manager of the Bank of Israel, and the Ministry of Justice division of employee disputes urging the prevention of a salary agreement that will perpetuate the overpaying of Bank of Israel employees. The letter was sent as a warning before the case is brought to court.
6/13/2006	The Movement for Quality Government in Israel demands that the Minister of the Interior, the State Comptroller, The State Legal Advisor, the general manager of the Ministry of the Interior, and the Ministry of the Interior Comptroller immediately call for the dismissal of Northern District Commissioner Herzl Gedge.
6/12/2006	Due to concerns about a serious conflict of interest, the Movement for Quality Government in Israel demands that the Regional Council Head of "Chof Hacarmel" (beach area), Carmel Sela, end all communications with the Naama Malis Architecture and Urban Design Firm about the planning of a master building project in Atlit city.
6/11/2006	The Movement for Quality Government to the Health Minister, to the Attorney General, and to appointed committees of the Civil State Commission: Dr. Ehud Frishman is not qualified to serve as general manager of the Ministry of Health
6/6/2006	The Movement for Quality Government in Israel has requested that the State Comptroller conduct investigations into the recent electrical blackouts of the Israel Electrical Company. The fact, the MQG says that the Israel Electrical Company, which monopolizes Israeli electricity, is failing to meet electricity demands even at the early stages of summer, endangering the lives of all Israeli citizens, is unacceptable and requires immediate inquiry.
6/5/2006	In light of the findings of the State Comptroller report, the Movement for Quality Government demands the immediate dismissal of Sinai Gilboa, Esq., from his position as deputy mayor of the Petah Tikvah Municipality.
5/24/2006	Due to the State Comptroller's report of comprehensive failings in the Civil Service Commissioner's service, the Movement for Quality Government calls on the Prime Minister, the Finance Minister, and the Attorney General to dismiss the Commissioner.
5/23/2006	The Movement for Quality Government in Israel calls upon the State Comptroller to assess the personal responsibility of Nir Gilad, former Chief Accountant in the Ministry of Finance, in the "Bazan agreement" , (oil refinery agreement), during which Gilad, acting in the name of the State, granted half billions of shekels in public funds to the Israel Corporation. This action alone provides grounds for investigation; these grounds are strengthened in light of the fact that shortly after the agreements, Minister Gilad was appointed to Deputy CEO of the Israel Corporation, Ltd.
5/21/2006	The Movement for Quality Government in Israel calls upon the Ministers of Finance, Health, and Retirement, to refuse Mr. Sammy Ofer's offered three million shekel donation for cancer medication; this refusal would help prevent the State from removing its responsibility for its citizens' health.
5/16/2006	At the Jerusalem Quality Government Convention today, MK Binyamin Netanyahu said that corruption in the State is growing powerful and must be stopped by empowering the State Comptroller, enforcing the law, and promoting transparency and exposure of corruption in the media.
5/15/2006	At the first Quality Government Convention, President Katzav announced that he has established a national, official, public board for the inspection of the structure of the Israeli government. Also at the convention, the survey results of Avi Degani of The Geocartography Institute were released: 74% of citizens believe public officers are concerned only with their personal interests.
5/14/2006	The first Quality Government Convention in Jerusalem—"The Struggle for Integrity"—will open tomorrow on Monday in Jerusalem. The convention, which will be attended by President Katsav and honored guests from Israel and abroad, was organized by the Movement and Academy for Quality Government. It will take place in "Binyanei Hauma" building and continue until Wednesday.
5/11/2006	The High Court of Justice issued a statement regarding its postponement of the petition of the Movement for Quality Government in the Bazan (Oil Refinery company Ltd.) case in which it voiced extremely harsh criticism of the fundamentally deficient manner in which State government authorities conducted themselves; such misconduct led eventually to millions of shekels being paid inappropriately to the Israel Corporation and The Ofer Brothers Group.
5/10/2006	The Movement for Quality Government calls upon the Attorney General to order a criminal investigation into possible fraudulent activity on the part of land lessees from The Israel Land Administration who allegedly take funds received from the national treasury for industrial uses of the land and uses them to exploit the land for other uses and greater profit.
5/3/2006	The Movement for Quality Government has issued a statement to the Attorney General and the Civil State Commissioner that requires Dov Weisglas, Esq., a year-long cooling off period before he becomes chairman of Bezek: "The fact that a senior advisor, a person of great influence on Government policy and decisions, can be appointed to a senior economic positions with neither a cooling off period nor suitable limitations, strikes a harsh blow both to public faith in government projects, government policy, decisions making, and to the integrity with which such policies and decisions are made."
4/27/2006	The Movement for Quality Government in Israel has requested that the State Comptroller work for completion and release of the report dealing with donations accepted by MK Shimon Peres before the inauguration of the new Government
4/24/2006	In response to the Movement for Quality Government's demand that the Commissioner of Public Sector Salaries in the Finance Ministry release in his annual report the names of recipients of unusual high salaries, the Commissioner has announced he intends to reexamine the previously accepted policy of not releasing such information.
4/24/2006	The Movement for Quality Government urges the Attorney General to press for an immediate decision regarding the investigation of MK Avigdor Lieberman.
4/23/2006	The Movement for Quality Government has urged the Prime Minister to refrain from assembling a large government; too large a government, it says, will cause inactivity, squandering of funds, and an inability to function.
4/23/2006	The Movement for Quality Government to the ministers: Peretz and Yishai, and to MK Lieberman: uphold your commitment to allocating resources to the needy and refrain from squandering these resources by seeking superfluous cases and enlarging the government.
4/14/2006	The Movement for Quality Government urges the Attorney General to instruct PM Ehud Olmert not to appoint Avigdor Leiberman as Minister of Internal Security as long as investigations into his beh avior are being conducted. Precedent for this lies in the Attorney General's previous decision that Tzachi Hanegbi could not serve this same position while investigations into his beh avior were being conducted.
4/8/2006	The Movement for Quality Government has appealed to the Attorney General regarding the decision of the Tel Aviv District Attorney's Office to close the cases of those implicated in Barak's alleged illicit campaign financing.
4/4/2006	A public committee headed by retired Supreme Court Justice Dalia Dorner, chose the retired Judge Eliezer Goldberg, Member of Knesset Amnon Cohen, former Minister Shlomo Hillel, "Haaretz" health reporter Ron Reznik, former director general of the Education Ministry Shlomit Amichai, and former Finance Minister Avraham Shochet, as recipients of the 2006 "Knights of Quality Government" Awards. Also chosen were four candidates for the 2006 "Corruption Fighter" Award, the winner of which will be chosen by the community.
4/3/2006	The Movement for Quality Government appeals to Rabbi Metzger: If the Attorney General was right in his judgments of you, you must resign!!
4/3/2006	The Movement for Quality Government petitioned the High Court of Justice today to order those authorized to sell State properties to determine policies according to which appraisals of such properties will be released to the public.
3/14/2006	The Movement for Quality Government urges the head of the Likud's party, Binyamin Netanyahu to do everything in his power to remove MK Blumenthal from the list of Likud candidates for the next Knesset.
3/13/2006	The Movement for Quality Government in Israel demands complete implementation of the suggestions of State Comptroller's report regarding the failures of the disengagement.
3/12/2006	In a reaction to a petition of the Movement for Quality Government, the State Attorney's Office announced today that it would freeze the sale of "Ashot Ashkelon" Industries. ( Ashot Ashkelon is recognized worldwide as a leader specializing in "build-to-print" and "build-to-spec" gear-based and drive-train products for aerospace, defense, sintered tungsten, and heavy-duty utility vehicle and construction equipment applications)
3/6/2006	The Movement for Quality Government demands that the Attorney General investigate charges of nepotism in the political appointments of Omri Sharon
3/2/2006	The Movement for Quality Government in Israel urges the Attorney General to make a final decision regarding Barak's alleged illicit campaign financing. The MQG stresses the necessity of a prompt decision; not only have seven years passed since the affair, but a parallel case of the opposing political party has already reached a verdict, and one of the implicated suspects in the Barak case is currently working as an advisor to the deputy PM, Ehud Olmert, who is a contender for the eventual position of Prime Minister.
3/2/2006	The Movement for Quality Government calls upon the members of the directorate of the "Ayalon Highway Company" to act independently and professionally when making a decision today regarding the appointment or dismissal of their director-general, and to refrain from submitting to external pressures of the Ministry of Transportation and others.
3/2/2006	The Movement for Quality Government commends MK Binyamin Netanyahu for responding to its charge and expanding the group that nominates Likud candidates from the party's central power only to the entire group of registered Likud members. The MQG calls upon Netanyahu to take the next necessary steps to promote legislation for primary elections to Knesset, so that the primary elections process employed by Likud will be adopted by other parties and party centers of corruption will be eliminated.
2/23/2006	Following a petition of the Movement for Quality Government in Israel, today the High Court of Justice cancelled Yehuda Avidan's membership in the Central Elections Committee.
2/23/2006	The Movement for Quality Government demands that Deputy Prime Minister dismiss Yaakov Assur, Head of the Religious Council of Beer Sheva, and work to return public funds that were taken illegally.
2/22/2006	Emergency rally today, Wednesday, February 22 nd, at 2:00 PM in front of the Prime Minister's Office. The Movement for Quality Government in Israel has petitioned the High Court of Justice to force Ehud Olmert, Deputy Prime Minister to dismiss Tzachi Hanegbi from his position as a minister. The MQG argues that in light of the State Comptroller's findings against him, and the Attorney General's announcement of his intention to indict Hanegbi for fraud, breach of trust, false testimony and swearing, election bribery, and nepotism in appointments of the Ministry of Environmental Quality, Hanegbi must not maintain his post, and that even if there are no technical legal grounds for dismissing him, there are unquestionably ethical grounds for doing so. The Deputy Prime Minister, who announced today that