Buzaglo test
Encyclopedia
The Buzaglo test is a phrase coined in Israeli law
which subsequently developed into an idiom
in Israel.
In 1976, the Attorney General of Israel
at the time, Aharon Barak
, decided to begin a criminal investigation against Asher Yadlin in relation to the Yadlin affair
. Yadlin, an important figure in the dominant Mapai
party who was under consideration for the position of Governor of the Bank of Israel
, was suspected of theft and receiving bribes. He was convicted and sentenced to five years imprisonment.
Barak's decision was significant at the time due to the prolonged dominance of the Mapai
party in Israeli politics and society. Referring to the decision, Barak coined the phrase "the law for Yadlin is the same as the law for Buzaglo" (Din Yadlin – KeDin Buzaglo). The phrase was intended to mean that both the strong and the weak in society were subject to the law. Yadlin represented the predominately Ashkenazi political elite of Israel, whereas Buzaglo represented the Mizrahi population, which at the time were considerably poorer and weaker.
Although it was originally used in the context of the rule of law
and specific corruption charges, the Buzaglo test has since become a litmus test for a range of inter-ethnic issues in Israel.
Israeli law
Israeli law is a mixed legal system reflecting the diverse history of the territory of the State of Israel throughout the last hundred years , as well as the legal systems of its major religious communities...
which subsequently developed into an idiom
Idiom
Idiom is an expression, word, or phrase that has a figurative meaning that is comprehended in regard to a common use of that expression that is separate from the literal meaning or definition of the words of which it is made...
in Israel.
In 1976, the Attorney General of Israel
Attorney General of Israel
The Attorney General of Israel stands at the head of the legal system of the executive branch and the head of the public legal establishment, in charge of protecting the rule of law and as such entrusted with protecting the public interest from possible harm by government authorities...
at the time, Aharon Barak
Aharon Barak
Aharon Barak is a Professor of Law at the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya and a lecturer in law at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the Yale Law School, and the University of Toronto Faculty of Law....
, decided to begin a criminal investigation against Asher Yadlin in relation to the Yadlin affair
Yadlin affair
The Yadlin Affair refers to a political corruption scandal that broke in Israel in 1976, involving senior members of the Labor Party...
. Yadlin, an important figure in the dominant Mapai
Mapai
Mapai was a left-wing political party in Israel, and was the dominant force in Israeli politics until its merger into the Israeli Labor Party in 1968...
party who was under consideration for the position of Governor of the Bank of Israel
Bank of Israel
The Bank of Israel is the central bank of Israel. It is located in Kiryat HaMemshala in Israel's capital city of Jerusalem, with a branch office in Tel Aviv. The current governor is Stanley Fischer.-History:...
, was suspected of theft and receiving bribes. He was convicted and sentenced to five years imprisonment.
Barak's decision was significant at the time due to the prolonged dominance of the Mapai
Mapai
Mapai was a left-wing political party in Israel, and was the dominant force in Israeli politics until its merger into the Israeli Labor Party in 1968...
party in Israeli politics and society. Referring to the decision, Barak coined the phrase "the law for Yadlin is the same as the law for Buzaglo" (Din Yadlin – KeDin Buzaglo). The phrase was intended to mean that both the strong and the weak in society were subject to the law. Yadlin represented the predominately Ashkenazi political elite of Israel, whereas Buzaglo represented the Mizrahi population, which at the time were considerably poorer and weaker.
Although it was originally used in the context of the rule of law
Rule of law
The rule of law, sometimes called supremacy of law, is a legal maxim that says that governmental decisions should be made by applying known principles or laws with minimal discretion in their application...
and specific corruption charges, the Buzaglo test has since become a litmus test for a range of inter-ethnic issues in Israel.