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Last update - 20:34 25/09/2008 If Netanyahu were a statesman By Ari Shavit Tags: Benjamin Netanyahu  If Benjamin Netanyahu had any real greatness in him, he would have convened a dramatic press conference this week in which he would have said the following: "Tzipi Livni and Ehud Barak are petty politicians. They are trying to form a government that is a continuation of the failed Olmert-Peretz government. I hear the things being said by Deputy Chief of Military Intelligence Brig. Gen. Yosi Baidatz. I understand that Iran has accumulated about half the fissionable material it needs to build a nuclear bomb. I understand that Iran has mastered the technology for enriching uranium, and that it is now galloping forward on the way to nuclear capability. I know that in the next 18 months Israel will have to make one of the most difficult decisions in its history. Therefore, like Menachem Begin in 1967, I am setting aside personal considerations and party interests. I prefer the good of the country to my own good. I hereby declare that I am willing to serve for a limited period as Tzipi Livni's deputy in a national emergency government." If Benjamin Netanyahu had any greatness in him, he would also have said the following at the press conference that he would have convened: "The global economic crisis is only at its beginning, and Israel's economic crisis is around the corner. The Olmert-Hirchson-Bar-On government did nothing to anticipate the problem, and to fight the coming recession. However, I am not a politician, I am a patriot and a professional. I'm not looking to get even. Rather, I am ready to place my abilities and reputation at the disposal of my country. I hereby propose to prime minister-designate Livni that she appoint me, on an emergency basis, finance minister and head of an economic cabinet." Advertisement If Benjamin Netanyahu had any greatness in him he would have used the press conference to define the four goals of the proposed emergency government: confronting the Iranian threat, confronting the economic threat, an educational revolution and a change in Israel's system of government. In front of the TV crews, Netanyahu would have admitted that there are profound differences of opinion between Likud and Labor on the Palestinian question, but proposed that for a year and a half these differences of opinion be set aside. The chairman of the opposition would have proposed that the national unity government to be established immediately focuses on the other four topics on the national agenda. He would have said the following: "After a period of hard work in which we will ensure security and rehabilitate the economy, improve the education system and amend the government system, we will be able to return to the penetrating ideological debate concerning the division of the country, which will be decided in the coming elections. However, until the 2010 elections, we have to do what the Alignment, Rafi and Gahal did on the eve of the Six-Day War. We must overcome personal and sectarian disputes and work together in order to guarantee national survival." If Benjamin Netanyahu had any greatness in him, such a press conference would also have helped him politically. It would have made him look good. The unexpected move would have shuffled the cards of a miserable and inferior inter-party game. While Livni and Barak would have been seen as pathetic players, he would have posited himself as the true Israeli leader. His purely ethical act would have shattered his dubious image and granted him broad support and sweeping popularity. Bibi would have become the new Sharon. Even the media would have treated him with kid gloves. Although he would have been forced to postpone his move to the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem by about a year, he would have guaranteed that transition. And no person and no force would have been able to block his path to power. But Benjamin Netanyahu has chosen to behave differently. The press conference he convened midweek was that of a politician rather than a statesman. It was a disappointing press conference of the head of a small party rather than the leader of a country. In the face of an historic challenge that Netanyahu understands well, he chose to behave like a petty person who concerns himself with petty matters. That's a shame. Because there is much more to the son of Benzion Netanyahu. The brother of Yonatan Netanyahu is capable of much more. Bibi is really one of the most talented people among us. He even has a degree of greatness. However, only when the former prime minister knows how to extricate this certain greatness from the considerable number of personal and personality weaknesses he also possesses, will he be a leader of stature. This week he was unable to do so. Will he be able to do so next week? Bookmark to del.icio.us   Out in the open Security officials fear U.S. radar system will expose IDF secrets. Israel on their minds Biden: Bush Mideast policy a failure; Palin: Mideast will top our agenda.   1.   Bibi Was Given a Chance and He Failed 07:51  |  Baruch Gold 25/09/08   2.   Dead wrong, Ari Shavit, thank the Lord he didn`t join..... 10:37  |  Swiss (Dino) 25/09/08   3.   Netanyahu 10:53  |  Mark 25/09/08   4.   no politician can be trusted to carry out its parties mandate 11:04  |  victor hardman 25/09/08   5.   Ari Shavit has has everything Topsy Turvy. 11:36  |  Proud Israeli 25/09/08   6.   FAD EGYPT 11:52  |  TO ARI SHAVIT AND #1 25/09/08   7.   Ah Bibi.... 12:25  |  Esther 25/09/08   8.   swiss dino and black sheep 13:22  |  swisswatch 25/09/08   9.   After Nuttyyahoo`s conduct during Lebanon2 13:25  |  Chris Linthwaite 25/09/08   10.   Shavit, don`t try to introduce the Am-type mud-throwing 13:40  |  Alicia 25/09/08   11.   the small man in natanyahu defeats the bigger man 14:11  |  harzion 25/09/08   12.   Netanyahu proved to be a fantastic liar. This does not change... 14:12  |  S 25/09/08   13.   swisswatch 16:08  |  A.M. 25/09/08   14.   DEMOCRACY 16:25  |  JoJo 25/09/08   15.   And Livni would put Syria and Abbas on hold? 16:43  |  Ilan 25/09/08   16.   Netanyahu 17:21  |  alan siegman 25/09/08   17.   am and "bad faith" 17:51  |  swisswatch 25/09/08   18.   a.m "which switzerland" 17:57  |  swisswatch 25/09/08   19.   Re S #12 18:11  |  Esther 25/09/08   20.   Dear brother 18:14  |  David 25/09/08   21.   # 8 / # 17 # 18 Toby, my dear Israeli "friend"...... 18:29  |  Swiss (Dino) 25/09/08   22.   netanyahu 18:59  |  JoJo 25/09/08   23.   Bibi did right by not propping up the disastrous coalition. 19:32  |  Chaim 25/09/08   24.   Ari Shavit is right about the emergency situation but.. 20:21  |  Shalom Freedman 25/09/08   25.   Constitution for Israel 21:16  |  Dennis MI VI 25/09/08   26.   RE: If Netanyahu were a statesman 22:00  |  Glenn 25/09/08   27.   Natanyahu is more of a Gentleman than any other Politician 23:22  |  Dagma 25/09/08   28.   Alan Siegman is a joke as well 00:01  |  Jonathan 26/09/08   29.   what about "IF Livini was a Statesman"?as Golda Meir she is not! 00:58  |  Jfrom C 26/09/08   30.   Lintwit - what a load of crap 02:14  |  Free Gilad Shalit 26/09/08   31.   Bibi Natanyahu is more a gentleman than any other Politician 07:29  |  Dagma 26/09/08   32.   Ari, you can`t really mean this 10:55  |  rs 26/09/08   33.   Personal gain 11:01  |  Yitz 26/09/08   34.   Netanyahu 23:22  |  Kalinin 27/09/08   35.   Netanyahu 02:58  |  Allen 28/09/08   36.   Maybe Livni can ask Condi... 02:01  |  Hume 30/09/08   37.   Chris Linthwaite #9 21:12  |  Charles 30/09/08   38.   Well, since Netanyahu has a BRAIN, what he said 10:20  |  Yaakov K. 02/10/08   39.   STATESMAN?!! A ONE PERCENT win in HER OWN PARTY 10:25  |  Yaakov K. 02/10/08   40.   Change before you have to? 09:49  |  Martin Ghéczy 04/10/08

Read & React ADL: Financial crisis sparking anti-Semitic upsurge on Internet Responses: 281 UN General Assembly Chief: Some Security Council members are worse than Iran Responses: 47 Yoel Marcus: Israel won't top agenda for either McCain or Obama Responses: 57 Claude Kandiyoti: A red line is needed between Jews, Israel Responses: 70 Hezbollah: Ghajar, Shaba Farms will soon be liberated Responses: 87 Amos Schocken: Why did Olmert wage war on the Supreme Court? Responses: 15 More Headlines 02:12 U.S. Congress approves $700b bailout; Bush signs bill into law 08:53 UN General Assembly chief: Some Security Council members worse than Iran 07:32 Sheetrit: Livni has 50-50 chance of forming government coalition 09:21 U.S. drops plan to set up diplomatic outpost in Iran 22:37 Comedian Jackie Mason hits back at Sarah Silverman's pro-Obama video 02:14 Fugee Friday Post III / From war-torn Sudan to a tiny classroom in south Tel Aviv 13:30 NEW ON HAARETZ.COM / Play the news: Build your own Israeli government 21:46 Time Magazine: Israel fears U.S. radar will leave it 'naked in front of America' 20:21 Palestinian Pres. Abbas to meet with Assad in Syria this month 14:54 OPINION / Israel won't top the agenda for Obama or McCain 13:18 Hezbollah: Ghajar, Shaba Farms will soon be freed 07:53 Jewish U.S. Army trainee says he was beaten days after complaining of anti-Semitism 15:45 Syria denies UN nuclear watchdog access to military sites 17:03 Astronaut Ilan Ramon's diary put on display in Jerusalem Previous Editions Select Day 03 oct 02 oct 01 oct 30 sep 29 sep 28 sep 26 sep 25 sep 24 sep 23 sep 22 sep 21 sep

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