Not much of a honeymoon

The Israeli public isn't giving Olmert much of a honeymoon, not that I'm surprised. According to the polls, most Israelis are not pleased with the idea of the union leader Peretz as Minister of Defense.

Poll: 51% Not pleased Olmert 76% wrong for Peretz to be DM

Dr. Aaron Lerner Date:28 April 2006
Telephone poll of a representative sample of 500 adult Israelis (including Arab Israelis) carried out by Dahaf for Yediot Ahronot the week of 28 April 2006 (as Olmert coalition government still in formation).

• Are you satisfied with the makeup that is developing for the government? Yes 39% No 55%
• Are you satisfied with the performance of Ehud Olmert during the process of the formation of the government? Yes 37% No 51%
• Are you satisfied with the performance of Amir Peretz during the process of the formation of the government? Yes 30% No 63%
• Is the good of the State one of the considerations of the people handling the [coalition] negotiations? Considerably yes 28% A little or not at all 69%
• Is the appointment of Amir Peretz as minister of defense a correct move? Yes 21% No 76%
• Are you worried about the appointment of Amir Peretz as defense minister? Yes 56% No 44%
• How do you feel today about how you voted in the elections? Satisfied 85% Not satisfied 14%
• Is it proper for the government to include 27 ministers? Yes 20% No 76%

Dr. Aaron Lerner, Director IMRA (Independent Media Review & Analysis)

(mail POB 982 Kfar Sava)Tel 972-9-7604719/Fax 972-3-7255730

INTERNET ADDRESS: imra@netvision.net.il

Website: http://www.imra.org.il

One shouldn't forget that Olmert isn't all that popular with the national Israeli public. He never really was. It took him quite a while to get Jerusalem to warm up to him as mayor. He can be charming and has those "smarts" of a successful politician, knowing how to talk to people and show that he's in charge. He's fit and energetic. His staff must be able to keep up with him.

A few years ago I predicted that he'd be Prime Minister. Then I thought that it would be a good idea, since I thought that he was pro-Eretz Yisrael, the Land of Israel. Oh, boy, was I wrong about that "minor" detail. Never in a million years did I think that he would end up being further left than Peace Now. Never did I think that he would be the Israeli official, technically he's still not the real full de jure prime minister," to announce that I'd be (G-d forbid!) thrown out of my house and "resettled."

Yes, that's the term I was searching for, resettlement. The Nazis coined the word to label the forced migration of Jews into ghettos. And that's Olmert's plan. He wants to destroy our homes, communities, educational institutions and businesses and move us, transfer us, exile us to some (at best) pre-fab hovels facing the walls of his new borders. We're to be (G-d forbid) cannon fodder, targets for the terrorists.

If you look at the questions in the poll, you'll see that the dissatisfaction has nothing to do with what Olmert's planning on doing to us. The public is getting tired of the coalition wheeling and dealing. The other night on the news there was a piece about some single-parent workers who will be losing their jobs, because as of May, the government won't be covering their transportation. There's no way these poor, and I mean poor, people can get to this job without the special bus service. It doesn't even pay for them to work if they have to pay for public transportation. For them it's a lot of money, but it's nothing compared to what all those unnecessary government ministers will be getting. And then, unemployed, the government will have to give them welfare, which is more than the bus service costs. None of the politicians care.

One of the more significant parts of the coalition agreement between Kadima and Labor is that ...all parties agreed to keep the status quo in the status of the Supreme Court and how judges are appointed. It's like an insurance policy. As long as there is no judicial reform, the Supreme Court will back government decisions.

I'm just looking forward to the internal party fights. Both Kadima and Labor leaders have disapointed their cronies. Too many people were expecting the same positions, and even with twenty-seven ministers, yes 27, and possibly more if more parties join, there aren't enough slices in the pie.

G-d willing, their greed will do what we've failed to do.

Chodesh Tov and Shavua Tov,
Have A Good Month and A Good Week,