For the sin we have sinned in the presumption of identity

Prof. Guy Hochman confesses to inconsistency in applying the presumption of innocence, and elaborates on the differences between the case of Military Advocate General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi and the Netanyahu trial. He argues that the presumption of innocence fully applies to Netanyahu as long as he has not been convicted, but emphasizes substantive differences: an indictment, witnesses, documents, and an advanced legal process versus no indictment yet. He calls for soul-searching on Yom Kippur.

Prof. Guy Hochman, an expert in behavioral economics and decision-making at Reichman University, confesses to inconsistency in applying the presumption of innocence. He writes that following reader responses to a previous column on the case of Military Advocate General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, he understands that Benjamin Netanyahu also has full presumption of innocence as long as he has not been convicted. However, he emphasizes substantive differences: in the Tomer-Yerushalmi case, no indictment has been filed yet, while Netanyahu has been on trial since 2020, after investigations, a hearing, and an indictment, with witnesses, documents, and cross-examinations. In Case 1000, Netanyahu does not deny receiving gifts but disputes the legal meaning; in Case 2000, the conversations are recorded and the dispute is over intent; in Case 4000, the judges suggested the prosecution consider withdrawing the bribery charge. Hochman calls for soul-searching on Yom Kippur, and warns against applying the presumption of innocence only to those on our side—what he calls "the presumption of identity."