HONOURABLE MEN

Israel, 2020, 120 minutes, Colour.
Directed by Roni Aboulafia.

This is a two-part documentary made especially for an Israeli audience. It is of interest to audiences outside Israel but this will depend on audience knowledge of Prime Minister Ehud Omert, his time in office, his resignation, tried for bribery and fraud. For those not familiar, there is quite an amount of background explanation.

The first half of the film focuses on Omert as Prime Minister, giving his family background, poverty in Israel, the principles of the family, his education, political ambitions, his serving in the Knesset, his 10 years with two terms as mayor of Jerusalem. The film shows his political stances, his attitude towards Palestinians, towards the settlements on the West Bank, International negotiations.

The second part of the film is called The Defendant, indicating animosity towards him and his political views, especially from right-wing groups, and the keeping of extensive files about his activities, files that could be used against him when needed. And, with his diminishing in popularity, especially 2006 after the attack on Lebanon on, there were moves to bring him down.

The framework of the film is the judgement condemning to prison, his being seen transported to prison, a recurring image of the outside of the prison, its wall and barbed wire atop, and a recorded interview with him from prison.

The film also introduces characters for the prosecution, a very self-assured prosecutor, and members of the defence team. Each gives their point of view on their preparations and the conduct of the case.

A lot of detail is given, much of it quite intricate, accusations of exploiting travel arrangements and using surplus funds for family travel, negotiations for an extensive loan for his brother, various dealings with business interests. Ultimately, a lot of the charges were dismissed. However, some of them continued, with a renewed interest in Omert’s secretary of 25 years, Sula Zeken. She appears speaking in her defence during the film. Omert turns against her, accusing her of the crimes and a relationship with one of the businessmen. She turns witness against Omert as well as pleading guilty.

The film ends with the release of Omert from prison, his status in Israel as former prime minister. He was succeeded by Benjamin Netanyahu – and continues critical of him.