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Last update - 19:44 29/09/2008
ANALYSIS / Olmert's epiphany is too little, too late
By Aluf Benn, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Israel News, Palestinians 

At the age of 63, just moments before his departure from premiership, Ehud Olmert has reached an extraordinary epiphany. In order to make peace with the Palestinians and the Syrians, Israel must withdraw from "nearly all the territories, if not all." As he told Yedioth Aharonoth in a holiday interview, even East Jerusalem must be given to the Palestinians.

Whoa.
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What an epiphany: In order to make peace with the Arabs, we must give them land. How come we never thought of that before? And where was Olmert when the Israeli left, and the whole international community, was repeatedly exhausting this claim? Was he really among the screaming spokesmen for the camp opposing all agreements and all compromises? Or was that just the evil child within him, and not actually the real Olmert?
Olmert is repenting now for his sins: For 35 years, he said, "I was not prepared to see reality in all its depth." Now he is regretting his vote in Knesset against a peace agreement with Egypt, as well as his stubborn refusal to annex even a millimeter of Jerusalem's wide border. But most regretfully, he has reached this realization too late for it to have any influence.

In his words, agreements with the Palestinians and the Syrians are "very close." If he were to stay in his post, he could fulfill them, could "bring the State of Israel to a decision." But then this mishap occurred, and the State of Israel brought about his dismissal, with just "one dubious witness, no trial and no substantial evidence."

So now it's clear who is to blame for dragging out this state of war and preventing peace: the state prosecutor, key witness Moshe Talansky, the justices who decided to hear his testimony, and Defense Minister Ehud Barak who coerced the prime minister to resign.

Olmert fell, he says, due to the lust for power of unrestrained clerks, who did not like his tendency to initiate and to make decisions. He would not discuss the suspicions and investigations against him, but was rather insulted by the criticism against him. A hedonist? Olmert? All he did was smoke some cigars.

Olmert believes so strongly in himself and in his self-righteousness, that he is trying to make us forget a few of the details that don't fit into his new image as prophet of peace.

First of all, his negotiating partners have been painting an entirely different picture altogether - if not opposite - of peace progress. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has said the Palestinians would never accept Olmert's proposal for "partial peace." Syrian President Bashar Assad has still not agreed to direct negotiations with Israel, even at a low level. This does not mean that they are right and he is wrong. It is clear that there is a huge difference of opinion when it comes to the chance for an agreement.

Second, let's assume that Olmert is right and he soon signs an agreement with Abbas. What could be done with this agreement? Should it be hung on the wall? Who would execute it and when? And what would happen on the ground in the meantime?

Third, Olmert's attitude toward the settlers raises doubts about his trustworthiness. Olmert disparages Ariel Sharon in the interview, saying that he spoke only of vague concessions without detailing what they would be. Olmert is willing to be specific. "What I am saying, no other Israeli leader has said before me," Olmert boasts.

Sharon really was vague, but he was the only leader willing to stand up to the settlers and evacuate them from their homes. Actions, not words. Olmert is a hero in a newspaper interview, but in reality has been a marionette of the settlers just like the leaders who preceded him.

Olmert knew full well that settlement expansion would be an obstacle to any peace agreement in the West Bank, and had said as much in the past. However, after the bloody 2006 evacuation of the Amona settlement outpost during his early days in office, Olmert became fearful of any confrontation or friction with the settlers. And when extremist settlers became increasingly violent toward their Palestinian neighbors and Israel Defense Forces soldiers, Olmert did not even try to curb it. What was he waiting for? Why did he decide to add thousands of housing units to settlement blocs that only add to their rivals' propaganda, even if they are ultimately absorbed into Israel? And why did he leave the outposts where they are?

The conclusion that emerges is that Olmert is an excellent commentator, but he lacks the firmness to execute his ideas. The interesting parts of the interview touch on security issues. Olmert expresses doubts about a potential attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, and he strongly opposes a new incursion into Gaza - something he was unwilling to say during the barrage of Qassam rockets into Israel, when the topic was at the center of public discussion.

But Olmert also acts like a politician: He ignores the only political agreement reached during his tenure with the Palestinians - the truce with Hamas in Gaza - because that accomplishment is credited to his rival Barak.

Related articles:
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  • Olmert heads to Russia next week for talks on Iran and Syria
  • Editorial: Making this a good year
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      1.   is there one spine left in the knesset? 16:31  |  KM 29/09/08
      2.   OLMERT`S FOLLY 16:51  |  Mitch 29/09/08
      3.   Olmert 17:12  |  herb glatter 29/09/08
      4.   What Aluf Ben`s analysis is saying in simple terms... 17:14  |  Smadar 29/09/08
      5.   Give the Guy A Break 17:21  |  Jean 29/09/08
      6.   more delusions from a loser 18:10  |  judith 29/09/08
      7.   Olmert 18:26  |  Jon 29/09/08
      8.   Smadar - Posturing for Posterity 18:54  |  Mark of Lewiston 29/09/08
      9.   A NEW YEAR but the SAME OLD GARBAGE 18:58  |  Barry S. Roffman 29/09/08
      10.   To Jean # 4 - Olmert has been caught red-handed 18:59  |  Dagma 29/09/08
      11.   Olmert is wrong 19:48  |  Bitin Dawg 29/09/08
      12.   "And why to Barak?" 20:20  |  sandra chitayat 29/09/08
      13.   sure--THAT`S it--giving up more land will make them end Jihad 20:37  |  bob 29/09/08
      14.   #8 Mark of Lewiston - Olmert has set the stage ... 22:24  |  Smadar 29/09/08
      15.   Firs and Last 02:33  |  Mark Lincoln 30/09/08
      16.   "he lacks the firmness to execute his ideas" 06:04  |  eric 30/09/08
      17.   Smadar - Hope You`re Right 06:06  |  Mark of Lewiston 30/09/08
      18.   get that menace of society out of office and All Israel! he will 06:38  |  glenna 30/09/08
      19.   who else, besides olmert 08:13  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 30/09/08
      20.   Olmert is finally telling the truth 08:34  |  ray 30/09/08
      21.   #8 Well, that`s easy to understand, Mark of Lewiston 09:31  |  Johnboy 30/09/08
      22.   shameful 11:10  |  david 30/09/08
      23.   Every Israeli PM seems to come to the same conclusion 11:55  |  Josh 30/09/08
      24.   His epiphany that leads to Israels destruction 14:11  |  Avi 30/09/08
      25.   Smadar you are so calm all the way in Canada! 14:14  |  Avi 30/09/08
      26.   Only a criminal would come to the same conclussion as our enemies 14:17  |  Avi 30/09/08
      27.   A preview of Olmerts next epiphany... 14:29  |  Avi 30/09/08
      28.   Olmert has reached the lowest point in his life and yet 14:42  |  Avi 30/09/08
      29.   #18 Mind your own business 15:08  |  Omar the Palestinian 30/09/08
      30.   good analysis, except for one thing... 18:15  |  michelle 30/09/08
      31.   Olmert Squandered His Legacy, Lets Us Be Done With Him Already 18:37  |  Livin In Rishon 30/09/08
      32.   Olmert?s interview / Delphi?s oracle 20:47  |  H.H.M. 30/09/08
      33.   #29 Israel is my business;where US tax $ go is my business!stop 05:51  |  glenna 01/10/08
      34.   omar;is your name an off branch of oldmert?it sounds like you two 06:14  |  glenna 01/10/08
      35.   Olmert?s interview / Delphi?s oracle 08:35  |  H.H.M. 01/10/08
      36.   Olmert`s declaration illustrates well who he is 10:59  |  x-ray 01/10/08
      37.   GOD`S CHOSEN PEOPLE 12:14  |  Neutered Observer 01/10/08
      38.   Better late than never-now the truth is out and can not be denied 12:36  |  Ivar 01/10/08
      39.   Who paid Olmert to say this? 16:54  |  x-ray 01/10/08
      40.   Analysis / Olmert`s epiphany .... 21:41  |  Ami 01/10/08
      41.   # 39 to x-ray re: payments made 08:44  |  eric 02/10/08
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