Cross channels

摘要

One of Israel's proudest claims-and one that has helped shore up support in Western capitals-is that it is a beacon of democratic politics in a region with precious little of the stuff. Although its democracy is not flawless, Israel has a fiercely free and irreverent press. The media have brought down ministers and generals, including forcing the resignation of Yitzhak Rabin as prime minister in 1977, when Haa-retz revealed that his wife had an illegal bank account. Yet this proud tradition of holding leaders to account is under threat.