The price of populism
Sometimes it happens that a person who tries to be a big populist becomes the biggest villain of all. This is exactly what has happened to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in the affair of the Holocaust survivors.
By Nehemia ShtraslerSometimes it happens that a person who tries to be a big populist becomes the biggest villain of all. This is exactly what has happened to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in the affair of the Holocaust survivors.
He tried to be good to everyone. Instead of dealing with real Holocaust survivors - from the death camps, the ghettoes, the forests and the hiding places - who have found themselves in a difficult economic situation that does not allow them to live with dignity and receive decent medical care, he tried to give everyone a handout.
The prime minister tried to win points from the largest possible audience of voters, and thus expanded the definition of "Holocaust survivors," including in it thousands of "hitchhikers." Because the number swelled and the budget is limited, Olmert produced an absurd result. He has affixed a price tag to the Holocaust, which pegs the terrible suffering that survivors experienced as being worth NIS 83 a month. Is there any wonder that there arose such a huge public outcry?
This is the fate of a populist who does not have the courage to tell the public the truth, and who looks for a solution that will satisfy everyone.
The affair began when Olmert agreed to the appointment of an inter-ministerial committee to recommend ways to ease the distress of Holocaust survivors who are in financial difficulties. In this context, generalizations must be avoided. The situation of most Holocaust survivors is good. They came to this country as young people and built their homes here, and also the country. Some of them are receiving reparations from Germany, or "Nazi victim" stipends from the state as well as old-age stipends. They invested in the education of their children, who are now engineers, doctors, economists and lawyers. They must not be transformed, in the twilight of their days, into a group that is trying to extort money from the state. They are not like that. The opposite is the case.
The committee headed by Nahum Itzkovitz, director general of the Welfare and Social Services Ministry, chose a broad definition of the term "Holocaust survivors." According to the committee, anyone who was present in the areas of the Nazi occupation during the war, or even lived in a country whose government collaborated with Germany, is a "Holocaust survivor." According to the committee, there are 256,000 people in this category.
The committee did not look into who among them is in economic distress and who is not, but rather determined that the bulk of the aid should go to survivors who were in concentration camps, ghettoes, labor camps and hiding places - that is to say, to 55,000 of those who were included on the list. To those the committee proposed paying NIS 1,040 monthly, for a total of NIS 700 million annually.
But then Olmert intervened. He decided to increase the number of beneficiaries to 120,000, among whom are tens of thousands of immigrants from the former Soviet Union. These might perhaps be defined as refugees, like many of the immigrants of the 1950s, including those who came from the Arab countries. However, they are not Holocaust survivors.
Since the prime minister is grappling with severe budgetary limitations and many needs, he cut the sum of the aid for Holocaust survivors to NIS 120,000 in 2008. This produced the absurdity of NIS 83 a month per survivor - a price tag for the Holocaust that has turned Olmert into the worst villain of all.
If Olmert had any political courage, he would not have entered the trap. He should have approached the problem from an entirely different direction. He should have told the survivors' organizations that he was establishing a special fund of NIS 1 billion that will be at the disposal of survivors who are in economic distress. Each of them would be able to apply to the fund and receive aid in full, without question and without bureaucracy. Because it is known that the economic situation of most Holocaust survivors is good and that they would not even dream of asking for help, only a few thousand would apply to the fund.
Various estimates talk about approximately 7,000 needy survivors. They must be helped immediately, with any sum that is required. But there is no need to hand out hundreds of millions of shekels to people who are not in need, or to those who are not entitled to the money.
Now Olmert is angry at the whole world. He says that there has to be a limit even to cynicism, and that it is a shame and a disgrace that they are going out to demonstrate against him in Jerusalem with yellow patches. The prime minister should blame only himself. By wanting so badly to be Santa Claus, he has with his own hands brought the humiliation on himself.
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HOW ABOUT Olmert of 'Shalom Achshav'? After all his wife carries the Banner.
Olmert the 'Shalom Achshav;? whose wife carries the Banner.... whose sons are 'somewhere'....
This is popular now in the UK. We have our own brand in Israel: our leader suffers of foot in the mouth. Yet, he is talking: "Now Olmert is angry at the whole world. He says that there has to be a limit even to cynicism" If Olmert knows that the public suffers of cynicism (which means - "a general distrust of the integrity or professed motives of himself") then what on earth does he do up there from where he should have resigned long time ago?
Santa Claus was a Hero! he gave everyone whatever he wished for... but is Olmert a Santa Claus? He is giving away everything that a person holds dearest in his heart. Olmert is the Opposite of Santa and is the 'Evil-doer' who takes away everything a person holds dearest in his heart.Olmert is no Santa Claus.
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Did we not hear that Olmert is looking for the Russian vote? well, here we have the answer. Cunning? indeed. When 'grappling with severe budgetay limitations and many needs' he should first look at those enormous grants and benefits which Ministers receive on their retirement, ministers such as himself and even Kartsav. They come up to millions of shekels! As once Ministers, this is their entitlement and dare anyone try to stop it. But where there are other more needy cases, then the Counry simply cannot afford it.
i understand if they are asking for stipends for events that happened 10 years ago and they cant work because of it.. but come on.. i know the holocaust was the worst thing ever.. but it happened 60 years ago.. the survivors had enough time to go to the work force.. it is true that the 83 shekels is a laugh.. but it was 60 years ago.. not to be mean, but if they are still alive, most likely they were kids during that time, which gave them plenty of time to get to the work force...
As the Mastermind of the London and Glasgow botched bombings you for sure know a thing or two on aiding and abetting International Jihadi Terrorists. But on the Holocaust.....NOOOOOOOOOO!
I think that you give too much credit to olmert-not only is the impression that he gives is one of not caring at all, but he's an idiot-how do you go to war (Lebanon) and your troops don't have the proper equipment? These are Jewish soldiers in a small country where every Jewish life is precious, and not to insure a fair level of success-I'd put him out to sea on a raft and point to the west and tell him to paddle.
How about Olmert the loser?
See Olmert's WWW site. Not a word about his actual deeds: supporting terrorist Abbas, planning to expell all Jews from Judea and Samaria; expelling Jews from Hevron - these are his deeds, and he is such a coward, his WWW site is silent, mentioning nothing. Calling Olmert a "populust" is as absurd as calling Stalin a "patriot." Olmert is a disgrace, a shame, a blot on Israel, a traitor, a man who ignores the public will, a thief who gives up for nothing what Jews shed their blood for. Tomorrow he will give away the Golan. Let him first give his own home to a Palestinian and start living in Gaza without body guards. May his evil rule be short and his remourse be long.
I am really shocked to hear how the survivors are being treated. The survivors of concentration camps and labor camps must have gone through such a terribly traumatic experience that few of us could ever imagine and hopefully will never have to endure. They must be taken care of in a very humane way. They should not be demonstrating for benefits that should have gone to them. All the money that came from Germany and the establishment of Israel due to the holocaust should be for their benefit foremost. Shame on Olmert and WJC. Olmert has made so many serious mistakes that have hurt Israel, I am really fed up with him, this and the Lebanon War.
If they were old enough, some Soviet Jews, depending on their circumstances during WWII, are Holocaust survivors. I do not see any connection with populism. I do see a politician looking for votes.
Unfortunately it is right.PM. Olmert stumbled but ther is no one that can be beter in the panel, who can replace it.
and transfer payments for the crimes of the holocaust - and still counting. What happened with the money? It should have gone and should go to the survivors first.
...were bought by Jews (at very high prices) about 100 years ago... Yeah, rights, let alone Arab, muslims and the rest of international communities, even your own very unpopular government won't buy that a bit. Probably it will more convincing if you say that the lands were bought by Jewish people 2000 years ago from Roman.
The money paid by the Germans was earmarked for the survivirs, instead, Israel has used it for the helth service and huge amounts have simply, disapeared. The Shoah business rolls on ala WJC, how much money do they now "hold"? The bank of Leulim had as much money, IF NOT MORE, belonging to the heirs of Holocaust victims, where is it? Where is the pressure on them to pay up? Israel and Jewish organsiations have cheated these people, the silence is deafening. No wonder the Europeans smirk. And the WJC wants to engage in a second round of compensations? Some want to sue Germany for "therapy" for second/third generation "survivors" Stop all claims. Bank Leumi to pay up. WJC share out all money they now hold to the survivors. End this disgrace once and for all. Where is Jewish pride? Speak up and end the humiliation of our elderly and stop this *shoah business* before the whole world becomes so disgusted they tell us to take a running jump.
It is only in some of Grim's Brothers feery tales that you might find an equivalent to the way reality is been considered in our Khelem of Land. It is typical in every field the official try to solve social aches, many to count and few to tell a happy ending: Education with the Naqba- no thjat I or all Israelis are against, it is the way it was proposed to bring it up-, Religious separation: no that all the Religious students could be looked on as one study group, the Health: what a disaster for the poor and the old; now for the most symbolic group in the annal of Zionism : the Holocaust survivors: yes they need special consideration, but most of will be ready to ask the Government to help those that are in need for help. You see, the problem again reside on the illusion that Israel society is one of equitable, when everyone is considered equal; bull shit, such aconcept- even if Ben Gourion promoted it - is not around anymore. So what happened in the name of equality, Olmert decided to insult all of the Holocaust Survivors, the same intention, and with the same incredible lack of sensitivity to the need of the needy. Bravo Olmert for the International fiascvo. Just turn your cable, or bloggs: Israel did get a PR but what a misery...
indrajaya:1) learn history 2) the lands were bought by Jews (at very high prices) about 100 years ago 3) stop whining and start working
The German people has given enough blood money for all the Holocaust survivors to live a life of dignity. What has happened to it?
"Various estimates talk about approximately 7,000 needy survivors. They must be helped immediately, with any sum that is required." This is a top, immediate priority. "The prime minister should blame only himself. By wanting so badly to be Santa Claus, he has with his own hands brought the humiliation on himself." This is Olmert's most frequent mistake. His complaints ring hollow. You cannot cut the holocaust out of a survivor and there is no shame in such a person donning the clothes that were part of that experience to make a point. He/she wears them internally forever. Those who objected most vociferously to being confronted by striped uniforms and yellow stars did so because they did not wish to be confronted with survivor reality not because there is anything shameful in the actual act. Holocaust memorial ceremonies in countries once occupied by the Nazis are always attended by survivors in their uniforms, who march - yes, proudly - under their associations' banner.
I always wonder what those holocaust survivors have in mind when they see those jewish activists occupy and stole palestinians property in Hebron market places and elsewhere. Do they remember what they had endured during NAZI era or what? Only now, the Jews are playing by others?