Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., February 05, 2008 Shvat 29, 5768 | | Israel Time: 01:47 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Olmert's speech / Paltry opposition By Yossi Verter Tags: Ehud Olmert, Winograd report  Two pictures from yesterday's Knesset debate on the Winograd Report will be engraved on the public memory. One is the bereaved parents shouting their grief at Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and being dragged from the visitors' gallery by the guards. The other is Defense Minister Ehud Barak's empty seat. A day after throwing Olmert a lifeline with his decision to remain in the government, Barak decided to absent himself from the debate on the Winograd Report. Some viewed this as cowardice. Others viewed it as a lack of desire to grant public backing to Olmert in such a loaded setting, the very day after deciding not to resign. The heated exchanges between their staffs after the debate proved that the new chapter of the Olmert-Barak government that opened this week will be stormy and ugly. Barak may remain in the government for another six months or a year, but he will take his pangs of conscience out on Olmert. For hours, Olmert sat stone-faced, absorbing the hail of criticism and scorn over the Second Lebanon War, taking comfort in the knowledge that the worst was behind him. Many of the MKs who attacked him yesterday had strongly supported the war in July 2006. Advertisement Olmert wrote his speech himself, during Sunday's cabinet meeting. He tried, unsuccessfully, not to argue. He admitted that there were failures during the war, but said he would make the same decision again. An experienced speechwriter might have given him a more apologetic, conciliatory message. Yesterday's debate might or might not end the war in the parliamentary arena. But it certainly ended the personal relationship between the prime minister and the head of the opposition, which has had some good moments over the past year. Benjamin Netanyahu pulled no punches in his attack on Olmert. He portrayed him as shallow, as someone who flees responsibility, as someone who "went missing" in action. This is the fighting opposition speech that Netanyahu declined to give in the television studios immediately after the report was published last week, lest it deter the masses from joining yesterday's anti-Olmert demonstration. But it turned out to be a paltry demonstration in any case. The protests melted away even before the snow did, and Olmert remains in power. And Netanyahu is stuck waiting for the next opportunity. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Prayer change Pope Benedict XVI nixes a reference to Jews` `blindness` over Jesus in a Catholic prayer. Blind and deaf in Jaffa 'The world's first professional deaf-blind theatre company' takes center stage in Jaffa.

Today Online IAF strike on Hamas police headquarters in Gaza kills seven Responses: 184 Burston: Barack Obama for Prime Minister of Israel Responses: 127 The Israel Factor: Is Obama really pro-Palestinian? Responses: 63 Foreign Min. backs Cairo request to double border forces Responses: 65 Harel & Issacharoff: The 300km problem along Egyptian border Responses: 53 U.K. to fund school trips of understanding to Auschwitz Responses: 77 More Headlines 01:22 Several hurt by Qassams in Sderot; IDF kills 9 in Gaza 01:33 Egypt warns Hamas against provocations on Gaza border 22:15 In about turn, U.S. says Iran may be able to make nukes by 2009 20:44 Pope nixes reference to Jews` `blindness` over Jesus in prayer 16:14 Haredi sect brands Chief Rabbi Metzger 'Zionist stooge,' wicked 21:43 Dimona bombing victim's son: Mom was to celebrate her 50th wedding anniversary 00:03 Jordan urges U.S. to pressure Israel to stop Gaza strikes 23:46 Former IDF chief Dan Shomron hospitalized for apparent stroke 22:29 Obama predicts split decision in Democrat race on Super Tuesday 22:19 Father, son suspected of killing man they accused of stealing dog 16:53 Two teens admit vandalizing Jewish cemetery in southern Hungary 00:45 German children's book draws fire for alleged anti-religion bent Previous Editions Select Day 05 feb 04 feb 03 feb 01 feb 31 jan 30 jan 29 jan 28 jan 27 jan 25 jan 24 jan 23 jan

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