While the whole country is focused on Ariel Sharon's medical
condition the real patient seems to be the State of Israel
itself, which is suffering from a serious ailment whose signs
include instability, a lack of judiciousness and an inability
to think independently.
Everyone knew Kadima was a one-man party. The moment Sharon
stepped out of the picture the party should have crashed to
the ground, sending pieces flying in every direction since
there is nothing holding the party members together without
Sharon in the cockpit.
While surveys conducted weeks ago gave Kadima no more than 20
mandates without Sharon at its head, after Sharon's
hospitalization the party continued its rapid ascent. Is
there any logical explanation for this? No. The Israeli
public is simply following like sheep.
In a survey conducted one month ago acting Prime Minister
Ehud Olmert was supported by just 9 percent of respondents
and a similar portion of respondents held he was suited for
the post of prime minister. Yet today Olmert has 50 percent
of public support, the same level of backing Sharon received
two months ago.
This defies explanation. Olmert has never served as prime
minister, has never held a security post or even a top-
ranking government post such as Defense Minister—except
for a mere two months as finance minister. So on what basis
is the public granting him the same backing it gave Sharon,
the most experienced figure in Israeli politics, a former
general and minister and an MK for decades? During his five
years as prime minister he carried out the Disengagement
Plan, which was supported by the majority of the public.
The press has also been struck by the illness plaguing the
country. It got swept up by Kadima's exploitation of Sharon's
medical condition to advance party interests, quietly
crowning Olmert as Sharon's successor without causing any
undue political tremors.
Every neophyte political observer knows Olmert is among the
most unpopular, unadmired figures in Israeli politics. An
opportunist with questionable judgment and close ties to
capitalists and the ruling elite he is supercilious, easy to
anger and wholly unfamiliar with the concept of loyalty. On
the other hand he is talented, hard-working, perceptive,
pragmatic and very experienced, but these attributes are not
enough to justify the sweeping support he now enjoys.
With the help of Sharon's seasoned strategic advisors, Kadima
steered the public and the press in such a sophisticated
manner that without even noticing the whole country has
crowned Olmert as successor to the throne. Ever since
Sharon's hospitalization the press, encouraged by Kadima, has
reiterated calls this is not to time to engage in politics.
All of us must be good little children by staying quiet until
the stroke has passed. Meanwhile who was working
indefatigably to slide into position the man who could be the
country's next prime minister? None other than Sharon's
Kadima.
Press Glosses Over Grave Report
Another proof of the press' total obliviousness is apparent
in its reaction to a recent appearance by Shin Bet head,
Yuval Diskin, before the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Security
Committee. According to the report he presented, terrorist
activity has risen significantly, weapons and terrorists have
been smuggled into Gaza at an alarming rate, the Hamas is set
to resume terrorism after the PA elections, terrorist
organizations are building a bona fide army and Kassam
missiles will have longer range in the near future.
Did this report receive adequate media coverage? Of course
not. It was barely mentioned. Instead the media focused on
Sharon's condition and various related medical issues.
Anything other than the dismal condition of the State of
Israel. Such a report would have been a slap in the face to
the Disengagement and Sharon, as he lies in his hospital
bed.
Ehud Olmert, whose views are far to the left of Sharon's,
turned into a media darling overnight. Does it make any sense
that the public swung far to the left overnight?
Taking advantage of the situation Shimon Peres, who is even
further to the left, grabbed the number-two spot in Kadima.
Yet nobody seems to be questioning the inexplicable
shatnez the party is made of. What does Tzachi Hanegbi
have in common with Shimon Peres? What do Avraham Hirshzon
and Dalia Itzik have in common? What about Shaul Mofaz and
Chaim Ramon and Uriel Reichman? When Sharon headed Kadima the
voting public had confidence all of the party members would
fall into line, but what now?
