The Americans are worried, but how much?

Jaunary 7, 2006; 19:55 EST
America:
Americans aren't always aware of the extent of the "what do they say in America" mentality of the Israeli press. Whenever something happens in Israel, one of the first questions to be asked in the media is the reaction of the U.S. administration. What plan do they have? How do they feel? What are they going to do?

Israelis have no patience, and as soon as Sharon's situation became clearer, they were waiting for the President or the Secretary of State to say something of significance. Waiting, and waiting, and waiting, to no avail. Those Americans, with their code of politeness, just wouldn't say anything. All they did say is that they wish the ailing prime minister well and they pray for his recovery. They understand that a time will come when there will be a need for something more specific, but what's the rush?

It goes without saying that the administration is worried - and with good reason. One could argue that the administration is not as worried as some people might think. Secretary Rice, said spokesman Sean McCormack, canceled her trip to Asia because she felt "it was the right thing to do." She didn't want to find herself too far away if she was needed in the Middle East. However, Rice is familiar enough with Olmert as to know his agenda is not far from the one Sharon would have tried to execute. She also understands that Olmert is not Sharon when it comes to the question of his ability to bend the political arena to his will. Some adjustments will have to be made by both sides. America understands, Israel understands, everybody understands - there aren't many secrets here.

The specific item on the table is the Palestinian vote in East Jerusalem. Olmert will have some difficulty in negotiating the necessary compromise that the Americans are seeking. He will have to be careful to not be seen as too weak a leader that the Americans (and even worse, the Palestinians) took advantage of. On the other hand, it's clear that compromise is within reach, and Olmert would not want to start his stint as interim prime minister by confronting the U.S. on matters of limited importance.

People close to Olmert him are already hinting politely that they expect the administration to take into account the situation, and not press him too hard. It seems as if this request will be met. The message sent to the Palestinians was clear: don't use the new situation as an excuse to make trouble.

World:
The irony of seeing European leaders agonizing over Sharon is one worth mentioning. But note an interesting phenomenon: They express no real concern over Israel's security, nor over Israel's democracy, nor its future. All they talk about are the prospects of the "peace process." Now, this is something that's been going on for quite a while - seeing Israel through that perspective only. As if there's no real country by the name of Israel, with real people, worrying about their businesses, their health, their education, people who have dreams and hopes and a daily life. As if there's no Israel in itself, just the Israel that's part of a "peace process." This is both a troubling and a twisted view.


Israel:
Olmert is the chosen successor. Peres will support him, after taking some hits during the weekend over his reluctance to state in a timely manner what his plans are. Reporters are already telling us how close Olmert was to the prime minister and whispering of the secret meetings and confidential material at which Olmert was allowed to sneak a peak even while Sharon was still in office. The message: he is as ready for the job as anyone can be. Expect to hear some whining from the right about the help Olmert is getting from the left-wing press (with some justification).