I don’t particularly like our Prime Minister. I didn’t vote for him, I don’t like his policies, and I don’t agree with his vision for the future. Like many, I would happily see another leader elected, and the fall of the Kadima party wouldn’t leave me crying myself to sleep either. Then again, I am a big fan of giving credit when credit is due, and Olmert seems to have learned one thing from Sharon.
Olmert has something many people lack. His sticks to his guns, believes in what he is doing, and like Shraron, will do everything he can to see that his truth becomes a reality. He is a fighter. Voters have lost passion. 2005 changed Israel, and as far as I can see, voter apathy is up, and we’re on track to becoming a nation of olim wondering why all the sabra’s would choose the ‘easy life’
I carry my Tehudat Zehut with pride. I memorized my ID number before I fell asleep my first night in Israel. I can relate to the desire for recognition and legitimacy in a foreign country, but for me, my Green Card was always blue.
This week our beloved land turned 60. I have be dreaming of Israel 60 since Israel 50, and yet on the eve of the most important day of our calendar, the Prime Minister is under investigation once again. I respect a man for courage, for not giving in, but there is a point when it’s time to say enough is enough.
We’ve been here before with Olmert, on the brink of elections. Perhaps we won’t know hit E-day till after the summer, but I hope and pray our next Prime Minister is an example to the nation, and seen in good light around the world. Ok, Olmert fights and get what he wants, but it seems that he is looking after his own interests and not those of the country. This isn’t a good trait for the guy in the driving seat.
The again, perhaps Olmert isn’t a fighter. The people with the power to topple him are too scared to make the move. They don’t want to risk their seats, or their salary. It wouldn’t surprise me if elections would mean Kadima members starting to crawl back to where they came from, and no one wants that sort of uncertainty for their career.
The US is pressing for a peace deal before the end of the year (although we’ve heard that every summer), and I hope we have the right leader, with the correct fighting spirit and understanding of when to keep carrying that pioneering spirit, and when to say enough is enough.
