I’ll admit that when the news uprising from the Winograd Report first came out, I had the archetypal response that led to the email I received the following day calling me to pass on the call for Olmert’s resignation, and the NYT article from that same morning reporting on the protest outside Olmert’s house, calling for the same thing. Following up, considering Olmert’s feeble responses and defenses, as well as talkbacks on Israeli news-sites, and the general atmosphere, I was beginning to believe he might be pushed out after all…and if not, it’s just another 3 months, right? Then again the next part of the Lebanon war sage is expected this summer.
Olmert’s approval ratings are even more ridiculous than his statements: 2-3% according to the NYT (whereas the margin of error is 3%...well about the same), and the possibilities for replacements have indubitably been pacing through Israeli minds for a long time. The Winograd report laid a clear, firm responsibility on him for the many failures and discrepancies of the war last summer, and he has accepted them (not that he really had a choice). However, despite the grandiose dissatisfaction that the Israeli people have with the current prime minister, the question of who’s next is perhaps more pertinent than that of when Olmert will step down.
That’s where today’s addition to theבלגן (balagan) comes to place. In a conference today, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni announced that she had asked Olmert to resign. No problem right? That’s what you might think on first site, but when you see the complementary statement, it all changes.
Ms. Livni suggests that since public opinion and the Winograd report have spoken (really more the report than the people, by her speech) Ehud Olmert must oblige everyone and step down from his post, to be replaced by a newly elected member of theקדימה (Kadima) party [elected by vote within the party].
It should bear no surprise that Tzipi is planning to run.
It’s pretty funny how undesirable situations unite a nation. It seems to me that there is a crystal clear consensus as to Israel’s answer to its humble ministress.
“HOLD YOUR HORSES!”
Granted, the attention was shifted to Olmert at the report’s release – maybe Peretz, who is so far beyond simple disapproval that it would be futile to discuss his myriad flaws [though it is inevitable to mention the ridiculous picture in which he posed, peering at a military scene with closed binoculars].
What has been omitted from major conversation, and is now once again surfacing is the plain fact that the war’s failure (as the Winograd report showed) was not Olmert’s fault. It was Kadima’s fault. Even Olmert’s actions were not individual decisions made and carried out from Olmert to the army. Practically everything that happened, happened through the entire party, Livni and Peretz, particularly included, as they both hold powerful positions. Even though Olmert was the acting Prime Minister, Livni is not less to blame than Olmert for the unpreparedness of the army, for the poor judgments in strategy, and most of all for the UN-coordinated cease-fire (with Hezbollah, as well as with Palestinians), which led to a continuation of thousands of rockets being shot at Israel (mostly Sderot), a suicide bombing in Eilat, and many attempts for more. In fact, it is largely Livni’s responsibility that the three kidnapped Israeli soldiers are not yet returned – another big complaint against Olmert (and his administration).
More so, talkbacks on Ynet, Haaretz, and J Post strike at Livni, (rightly) charging her with opportunism, incompetence, equivalency to Olmert, idiocy, lack of ethics/morals, being easily manipulated/swinging with the wind, and much more – some kinder, and others, rather ribald.
The situation is really best defined as one Ynet talk-backer said, “If anyone says it [that Olmert must resign], its okay. But, from Livni, its arrogance.”
I strongly recommend taking a look, for sheer entertainment, if for no other purpose. However, since the vast majority of them are uniformed in concept, a particularly riveting sample or two from each site will suffice.
Olmert’s approval ratings are even more ridiculous than his statements: 2-3% according to the NYT (whereas the margin of error is 3%...well about the same), and the possibilities for replacements have indubitably been pacing through Israeli minds for a long time. The Winograd report laid a clear, firm responsibility on him for the many failures and discrepancies of the war last summer, and he has accepted them (not that he really had a choice). However, despite the grandiose dissatisfaction that the Israeli people have with the current prime minister, the question of who’s next is perhaps more pertinent than that of when Olmert will step down.
That’s where today’s addition to theבלגן (balagan) comes to place. In a conference today, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni announced that she had asked Olmert to resign. No problem right? That’s what you might think on first site, but when you see the complementary statement, it all changes.
Ms. Livni suggests that since public opinion and the Winograd report have spoken (really more the report than the people, by her speech) Ehud Olmert must oblige everyone and step down from his post, to be replaced by a newly elected member of theקדימה (Kadima) party [elected by vote within the party].
It should bear no surprise that Tzipi is planning to run.
It’s pretty funny how undesirable situations unite a nation. It seems to me that there is a crystal clear consensus as to Israel’s answer to its humble ministress.
“HOLD YOUR HORSES!”
Granted, the attention was shifted to Olmert at the report’s release – maybe Peretz, who is so far beyond simple disapproval that it would be futile to discuss his myriad flaws [though it is inevitable to mention the ridiculous picture in which he posed, peering at a military scene with closed binoculars].
What has been omitted from major conversation, and is now once again surfacing is the plain fact that the war’s failure (as the Winograd report showed) was not Olmert’s fault. It was Kadima’s fault. Even Olmert’s actions were not individual decisions made and carried out from Olmert to the army. Practically everything that happened, happened through the entire party, Livni and Peretz, particularly included, as they both hold powerful positions. Even though Olmert was the acting Prime Minister, Livni is not less to blame than Olmert for the unpreparedness of the army, for the poor judgments in strategy, and most of all for the UN-coordinated cease-fire (with Hezbollah, as well as with Palestinians), which led to a continuation of thousands of rockets being shot at Israel (mostly Sderot), a suicide bombing in Eilat, and many attempts for more. In fact, it is largely Livni’s responsibility that the three kidnapped Israeli soldiers are not yet returned – another big complaint against Olmert (and his administration).
More so, talkbacks on Ynet, Haaretz, and J Post strike at Livni, (rightly) charging her with opportunism, incompetence, equivalency to Olmert, idiocy, lack of ethics/morals, being easily manipulated/swinging with the wind, and much more – some kinder, and others, rather ribald.
The situation is really best defined as one Ynet talk-backer said, “If anyone says it [that Olmert must resign], its okay. But, from Livni, its arrogance.”
I strongly recommend taking a look, for sheer entertainment, if for no other purpose. However, since the vast majority of them are uniformed in concept, a particularly riveting sample or two from each site will suffice.
16. It would be nobel on her part
If it were not for her own true goals and obvious incompetence
Reality Check ,
BaGolan
(05.02.07)
18. Livni ,Show him how it's done !
You are just another puppet politician who is easliy manipulated. You are out of your league. Just another yes,yes maam of Condi Rice and George Bush ! Go back home and bake cookies for the children.
Marcel ,
Florida
(05.02.07)
If it were not for her own true goals and obvious incompetence
Reality Check ,
BaGolan
(05.02.07)
18. Livni ,Show him how it's done !
You are just another puppet politician who is easliy manipulated. You are out of your league. Just another yes,yes maam of Condi Rice and George Bush ! Go back home and bake cookies for the children.
Marcel ,
Florida
(05.02.07)
LIVNI JUST AS RESPONSIBLE!!!!!!
Ben Uziel
Livni thinks she can rewrite history and whitewash herself of responsibility. Israel leadership must be completely replaced. New elections and nothing else!!! until then there will be spin, lie and superficiality to the resolution to many Israeli problems. Livni is as responsible as olmert, to deny this is to deny the whole point of political responsibility within a govt.
Livni Kicks Olmert When He Is Down
Ben Israel
Israel
Tzippi Livni is a complete zero..a political nihilist, post-Zionist with no program other than self-advancement, in other words, like all the rest of the Kadima gang. The government has COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY and she is just as responsible for the disaster. Now she thinks she is only a short step from being Prime Minister...it is truly frightening that someone like her could reach the top job.Her parents were revered fighters in the ETZEL (Irgun) in the pre-state period, so she cashed in on this to get ahead in the Likud even though like most of its "princes" she abandoned their nationalist/Zionist line. She attached herself to Sharon and as he moved to the Left, so did she. Like I said, she is a real nothing.
(Haaretz: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/854673.html)
69. The Mighty & The Greedy Surely Will Fall.NO One In This Crew Is Speaking About National Interest. This Is A True Crime Against The PeopleAdina Kutnicki - US 05/02/2007 23:36
The sharks are circling within Kadima - Kadima, over the cliff. Justice dictates that ALL of these miscreants get tossed overboard. I am NOT in a forgiving mood and do not feel they even deserve life rafts!
Ben Uziel
Livni thinks she can rewrite history and whitewash herself of responsibility. Israel leadership must be completely replaced. New elections and nothing else!!! until then there will be spin, lie and superficiality to the resolution to many Israeli problems. Livni is as responsible as olmert, to deny this is to deny the whole point of political responsibility within a govt.
Livni Kicks Olmert When He Is Down
Ben Israel
Israel
Tzippi Livni is a complete zero..a political nihilist, post-Zionist with no program other than self-advancement, in other words, like all the rest of the Kadima gang. The government has COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY and she is just as responsible for the disaster. Now she thinks she is only a short step from being Prime Minister...it is truly frightening that someone like her could reach the top job.Her parents were revered fighters in the ETZEL (Irgun) in the pre-state period, so she cashed in on this to get ahead in the Likud even though like most of its "princes" she abandoned their nationalist/Zionist line. She attached herself to Sharon and as he moved to the Left, so did she. Like I said, she is a real nothing.
(Haaretz: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/854673.html)
69. The Mighty & The Greedy Surely Will Fall.NO One In This Crew Is Speaking About National Interest. This Is A True Crime Against The PeopleAdina Kutnicki - US 05/02/2007 23:36
The sharks are circling within Kadima - Kadima, over the cliff. Justice dictates that ALL of these miscreants get tossed overboard. I am NOT in a forgiving mood and do not feel they even deserve life rafts!
34. Where it was sealedCry 05/02/2007 19:55
If the war planning and execution was a disaster, and it was, nothing was over until the end result was sealed at the UN. That was Livni's responsibility. She craves to be liked by Rice more then to advocate Israel's true interests. If you think Olmert is bad, he will seem to have been a great leader if Livni ever becomes PM.
If the war planning and execution was a disaster, and it was, nothing was over until the end result was sealed at the UN. That was Livni's responsibility. She craves to be liked by Rice more then to advocate Israel's true interests. If you think Olmert is bad, he will seem to have been a great leader if Livni ever becomes PM.
16. Livni: Gutless, Not "The Right Stuff"Ovadiah ben Avraham - Israel 05/02/2007 17:43
If she had made a move against Olmert, I would have called her a Kadima hack opportunist. If she had resigned I would have thought, hmmm, maybe she is in Israeli politics for the long run and the right reasons (to serve). But this gutless flop on her belly before Olmert is repulsive. She *is* the "princess" that the analysts say -- without a patron to promote her, she is nothing on her own. Next.
If she had made a move against Olmert, I would have called her a Kadima hack opportunist. If she had resigned I would have thought, hmmm, maybe she is in Israeli politics for the long run and the right reasons (to serve). But this gutless flop on her belly before Olmert is repulsive. She *is* the "princess" that the analysts say -- without a patron to promote her, she is nothing on her own. Next.
55. Livni - No Ethics, Honor, or CompetenceJerome Soller 05/02/2007 22:06
If she does not resign, I hope Olmert fires her. She and Peres should resign themselves, before Olmert resigns. Maybe, if Israel is lucky, it can include her in the trade for the kidnapped Israelis. I pray for an Israel with Peres, Livni, and Olmert in no position of responsibility greater than cleaning toilets. Jerome
(http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1178020750384)
OVERALL: There were a few supporting comments towards Livni, but they were miniscule compared to the opposition. There was little talk of a solution to the situation, or steps towards it except for the immediate removal of Kadima (one or two comments advocated keeping Kadima and Olmert). The vast majority of substitute suggestions were for Benjamin (Bibi) Natanyahu – a name I’ve come across often in terms of calls for primacy in Israel. If there were elections held now, I’d guess Bibi would be the likeliest to win (and probably the best to win), but Israelis don’t have much faith in their government right now. Sad as that is, there is very much room for a new generation of politicians of a different class. As Sharon withers away, Peres not far from, and the rest of them hanging from the ledges, the founders of Israel, who had been with it from birth, and who have seen it through it’s first 60 or so years are just about done. A recent article on ynet spoke of signs of a new Zionism and patriotism amongst Israeli youth as uprising, and I can only hope that this is true and prevalent. It is up to the next generation to come up with some leaders who will be credible and who will pull Israel out of the rut it has been in for the past decade. Who are these people? We don’t know yet.
All we can hope is that they will show up soon, because Israel’s transition time is running out.
If she does not resign, I hope Olmert fires her. She and Peres should resign themselves, before Olmert resigns. Maybe, if Israel is lucky, it can include her in the trade for the kidnapped Israelis. I pray for an Israel with Peres, Livni, and Olmert in no position of responsibility greater than cleaning toilets. Jerome
(http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1178020750384)
OVERALL: There were a few supporting comments towards Livni, but they were miniscule compared to the opposition. There was little talk of a solution to the situation, or steps towards it except for the immediate removal of Kadima (one or two comments advocated keeping Kadima and Olmert). The vast majority of substitute suggestions were for Benjamin (Bibi) Natanyahu – a name I’ve come across often in terms of calls for primacy in Israel. If there were elections held now, I’d guess Bibi would be the likeliest to win (and probably the best to win), but Israelis don’t have much faith in their government right now. Sad as that is, there is very much room for a new generation of politicians of a different class. As Sharon withers away, Peres not far from, and the rest of them hanging from the ledges, the founders of Israel, who had been with it from birth, and who have seen it through it’s first 60 or so years are just about done. A recent article on ynet spoke of signs of a new Zionism and patriotism amongst Israeli youth as uprising, and I can only hope that this is true and prevalent. It is up to the next generation to come up with some leaders who will be credible and who will pull Israel out of the rut it has been in for the past decade. Who are these people? We don’t know yet.
All we can hope is that they will show up soon, because Israel’s transition time is running out.
EDIT: Report: Livni Will Quit
(IsraelNN.com) Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni will announce her resignation from the government if Prime Minister Ehud Olmert does not resign, Israeli media reported Wednesday morning. She is scheduled to meet with the Prime Minister at 4 p.m. (9 a.m. EDT) and then will hold a press conference. The Foreign Minister was catapulted into the top political echelon when she backed former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's program to destroy Jewish communities in the Gaza and northern Samaria regions.
(IsraelNN.com) Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni will announce her resignation from the government if Prime Minister Ehud Olmert does not resign, Israeli media reported Wednesday morning. She is scheduled to meet with the Prime Minister at 4 p.m. (9 a.m. EDT) and then will hold a press conference. The Foreign Minister was catapulted into the top political echelon when she backed former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's program to destroy Jewish communities in the Gaza and northern Samaria regions.
