Israel's future

Fire of Liberty

Marvin Olasky has an interesting column out today that provides us a view and mood of the Israeli people as the count down the days to its general election. It seems that the people of Israel have become apathetic towards politics and seem to be ready to put all their security problems behind them by picking Ehud Olmert as their next Prime Minister. Olasky pretty much sums up that after years of trying to deal with the Palestinians and their terrorist byproducts, the folks of Israel have thrown up their hands and have developed an escapist attitude which rightly corresponds with acting PM Olmert's strategy. See for yourself:

Many Israelis are looking for not only an easy solution like that, but for "a political messiah," as Paul Wright of Jerusalem University College put it. In this election, with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon present in body only following a stroke suffered earlier this year, they're not finding one.

Sharon was the Andrew Jackson of Israeli politics: Just as a teenage Jackson fought in the American Revolution and in the 1820s was a living link to George Washington, so Sharon fought in the desperate wars at Israel's dawn. Both generals were crusty, larger-than-life leaders succeeded by pint-sized career politicians, Martin van Buren and Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

Olmert, 60, spent 20 years in the legislature before becoming mayor of Jerusalem for 10 years and then Sharon's sidekick and successor. Opponents characterize him as a political chameleon who smokes big cigars, wears expensive suits and shoes, and -- according to the Jerusalem Post -- "oozes political experience and savvy."

He's the favorite to become prime minister for the next four years as head of the new party, Kadima ("forward" in Hebrew), that Sharon founded. Olmert mentions his predecessor early and often, the way John Kerry mentioned his Vietnam War service -- 'Oh by the way, did you know that I am the handpicked successor?' -- as he speaks in front of Goliath-sized photos of Sharon.

Olmert's key message is that he will complete construction of the wall/electronic fence, bending it around several large Jewish settlements that Israel will unilaterally annex. He will then turn over most of the West Bank to the Palestinians, and Israel will become, in Olmert's words, "a country that is fun to live in."

As for me, I prefer that the Israeli people shy away from this "do-nothing, close us off from all that stuff" approach being pushed by Olmert and Kadima and choose Benjamin Netanyahu and Likud due to the fact the former PM knows the threat of the terrorists that surround them and has had a good run at turning around Israel's economy. During the four or five years that Sharon was tough on terrorism, Israel suffered little or no problems and would do the same under Netanyahu. One can only foresee how things will be in Israel if they follow Olmert's centrist policy, especially with Hamas holding power over the Palestinian territories. The Israeli might want to think about before they cast their ballot.