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Last update - 13:47 25/06/2008 Step aside, for every reason By Uzi Benziman Tags: Israel, Tzipi Livni  The Likud Central Committee primary held in November 2002 that determined its Knesset list brought the dirty politics endemic in the party - which until then had been kept away from view - to the public's attention. The gathering held at the Israel Trade Fairs and Convention Center was not just a colorful political get-together; it also resembled a bazaar controlled by gangs enforcing their will through terror and bribery. Backroom deals and shows of force were conducted out in the open, revealing the rotting state of the ruling party. Public revulsion to the repulsive spectacle led to prime minister Ariel Sharon's decision to split with the Likud and start the Kadima party, a move that cut down the Likud's Knesset seats to 13. June 2008 may be remembered as the month when the Israeli public's patience with its leaders and their style of politics runs out, as citizens are currently witnessing the inner workings of the parties exposed for all to see. Advertisement In the past, backroom dealings were kept secret, but now the politicians themselves are shedding light on their dark practices, and they are doing so with gusto, in a sort of unabashed striptease revealing all their deformities. Thus, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert informed the public that Defense Minister Ehud Barak allegedly imposed upon him to reach an agreement with Hamas over a calm in the Gaza Strip not because it was in the national interest, but because of the Labor leader's political considerations. Members of the defense minister's inner circle say in return that the prime minister allegedly reneged on an agreement regarding a prisoner swap for abducted Israel Defense Forces solders held by Hezbollah because of interests concerning the Kadima leader's political survival. Furthermore, the prime minister said the defense minister is imposing his will on security establishment officials, which prompted the defense minister to claim that the prime minister's policy is as stable as a seesaw. Neither take into consideration that they are using the fate of the three abducted soldiers as ammunition to fire charges against each other. Olmert's pride prevents him from doing the honest thing of stepping down, even for a period of three months, and turned authority over to Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni until the police investigation against him clears up. His purely selfish interests, which are completely alien to the common good, have driven him to pull a maneuver that may lead to early elections. Had Olmert allowed Livni to take over, or given the green light for his party to hold an early primary election, then he may have boosted the chances of the current government coalition to continue, and averted a political crisis. But Olmert has his urges, and he would rather throw everything down the drain then have Livni, or anyone else from his party, take over from him. Say he manages to pull off a last-minute deal with Shas that keeps it in the coalition, or he succeeds in delaying the preliminary reading over the proposal to dissolve the Knesset - will he then have the right to make fateful decisions? Does he believe that a dubious deal with Shas promising the ultra-Orthodox party funds will endow him with the moral authority to conduct the nation's affairs with Hamas, Hezbollah, the Palestinian Authority and Iran? Olmert's public behavior these days are a repeat of his performance during the Second Lebanon War, which the public was not aware of in real time. Now like then, he lacks a cohesive opinion and is not displaying leadership. Also, his relationship with the defense establishment is problematic and, much like in July 2006, he does not trust his defense minister. Concerns about appearances are considerable factors in the prime minister's decisions over returning abducted IDF soldiers Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev. Even if Olmert is trying to implement the recommendations of the Winograd Committee war probe, he is failing to implement its main requirement of his job: Confidence and assertiveness, two further reasons why he should step down. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Bridging the gap A flashy addition to Jerusalem's entrance merges the old and the new. Two years later Captive soldiers' families lash out during ceremony marking Shalit's kidnapping.   1.   Benziman invents history 14:28  |  Jewish State 25/06/08   2.   Why is caring about children `dubious`? 18:54  |  David 25/06/08   3.   Are Israel`s MK prostitutes? 19:13  |  Prof. Joseph Pelzman 25/06/08   4.   Olmert`s legacy... 20:09  |  bat yam 25/06/08   5.   #3 - remember what Ronald Reagan said .. 20:34  |  redmike 25/06/08   6.   Olmert is looking very diseased 15:54  |  Dror 26/06/08   7.   Olmert to STEP DOWN? Why? 18:14  |  Dagma 26/06/08

Read & React Bradley Burston: Perhaps we killed Christ after all Responses: 63 Israel to give Egypt new proposals for Shalit swap Responses: 90 Israel and Hezbollah ready to sign on prisoner swap deal Responses: 66 Nadav Shragai: Without Golan referendum, we will face another Gaza Responses: 43 More Headlines 17:46 Livni demands military response to Qassam fire 18:07 Ten hurt in massive blaze at luxury Eilat hotel 15:33 Amid protests, Gay Pride parade to march through central J'lem 15:36 Israeli Arab teaches Palestinians about the Holocaust 10:59 Israel and Hezbollah ready to sign on prisoner swap deal 17:19 Report: Israel prefers Hamas prisoners be released to Gaza, not West Bank 14:27 A new Haredi reality show makes 'American Idol' kosher 14:56 Rightist hackers place Israeli flag, Kach images on pro-Palestinian Web sites 16:13 14 protesters hurt in West Bank anti-fence demonstration 10:49 French sources: Syria ready to 'reconsider' its ties with Iran 14:42 Police arrest man whose twin impersonated him to flee arrest 14:05 Figures show municipalities are primary pollution source in Israel 11:32 Plans underway for November Mideast peace summit in Moscow Previous Editions Select Day 25 jun 24 jun 23 jun 22 jun 20 jun 19 jun 18 jun 17 jun 16 jun 15 jun 13 jun 12 jun

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