Fraud plagues more Israeli politicians

Fraud plagues more Israeli politicians . A new wave of fraud scandals is gripping the Israeli government with former finance minister Abraham Hirchson convicted over a multimillion shekel fraud case.

An Israeli court on Monday found Hirchson guilty of stealing NIS 2.5 million from the National Workers Organization when he was the institution's head, Haaretz reported.

Daily news World The court rejected the arguments by Hirchson defense lawyers to minimize his involvement in the case.

Based on the indictment, NIS 12.3 million was funneled from the organization and an affiliated institution and the sum of money was divided between six people including the former minister.

The case is the latest in a series of scandals that put the honesty of Israeli officials under question. Former prime minister Ehud Olmert had to resign over his involvement in a corruption case.

Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman is currently under police investigation for his involvement in a money laundering case.

A recent poll conducted by an anti-Corruption organization has revealed that the majority of Israelis believe their government is not seriously fighting against corruption.

The annual Global Corruption Barometer report released by Transparency International shows that 86 percent of Israelis --the highest level in the world--say the government's efforts to fight corruption are ineffective.

Doron Navot of the University of Haifa and the Israel Democracy Institute says in Israel "not only do the government and elected officials not fight political Corruption, but in recent years they see politicians and elected officials fighting the guardians - those battling against Corruption - and trying to weaken them and advance reforms that harm the fight against Corruption."

Obama seeks fresh start with Muslim world

US President Barack Obama calls for a "new beginning" between the US and the Muslim world, saying that his roots come from a Muslim generation.

"I am a Christian, but my father came from a Kenyan family that includes generations of Muslims," Obama said Thursday in a speech in which he touched on the story of his life and religious beliefs.

Addressing a cheering crowd of Egyptians and Muslim dignitaries at Cairo University, the American president called for an end to ongoing tensions between the US and the Muslim world.

"I have come here to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world; one based upon mutual interest and mutual respect; and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive, and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles."

Obama went on to say that some extremists have fueled tensions between the West and the Muslim world to further their agenda and have managed to build up hatred toward Muslims in the West.

"Violent extremists have exploited these tensions in a small but potent minority of Muslims. The attacks of September 11th, 2001 and the continued efforts of these extremists to engage in violence against civilians has led some in my country to view Islam as inevitably hostile not only to America and Western countries, but also to human rights. This has bred more fear and mistrust."

Obama quoted passages from the Qur'an, Talmud and the Bible and called for peace while praising peacemakers.

"There is one rule that lies at the core of every religion -- that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us. This truth transcends nations and peoples," Obama continued. "The people of the world can live together in peace."

While acknowledging that Islam is a religion of peace and compassion, Obama promised to do his utmost to fight against all efforts to create "negative stereotypes of Islam".

My experience, he said, "guides my conviction that partnership between America and Islam must be based on what Islam is, not what it isn't... And I consider it part of my responsibility as president of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear."

Obama's Middle East tour is viewed as an effort by the 44th US president to reach out to the Muslim world.

On the first leg of his trip, the American president visited Saudi Arabia Wednesday.