66% of Israelis believe that the governing is not doing enough to fight corruption, according to the Global Corruption Barometer 2006, published by Shvil Transparency International Israel the local affiliate of Transparency International.
The Israeli survey covered 500 people. 66% of the respondents said the government was not doing enough to fight corruption, or that it was ineffectual. 16% said the government encouraged corruption.
55% of respondents said corruption affected them personally, 81% said corruption affected the business environment, and 86% said it affected politics.
In response to the question, “To what extent do you perceive the following sectors in this country/territory to be affected by corruption?”, the responses in Israel were as follows (on a scale of 1 - not at all corrupt - to 5 - extremely corrupt): political parties - 4.2 (which were also perceived as the most corrupt institution in previous years);Knesset - 3.8; religious bodies - 3.6; police - 3.3; business and the private sector - 3.2; NGOs and registry and permit services - 3.1 each; the media and utilities - 3.1 each; tax revenue - 3.0; medical services - 2.9; the legal system and judiciary - 2.8; education services - 2.6; and the military - 2.2, the institution perceived as the least corrupt.
Shvil board member Doron Navot said, “The survey shows that governments are not doing enough to fight corruption.” He said the Israeli government should do more to fight corruption.
On December 10, the 78 countries that have ratified the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) will convene for the first time in Jordan. Israel has not ratified UNCAC.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on December 7, 2006
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2006