MK Yossi Beilin & MK Effie Eitam agree

hat tip and translation by IMRA

MK's Yossi Beilin & Effie Eitam "Come protest"

Thursday, May 3, 2007

MK Yossi Beilin (Meretz) & MK Effie Eitam (National Union/NRP) wrote an op-ed that appeared on the front page of Maariv on 3 May, 2007.
The following is IMRA's translation:


Come Protest

We never wrote an article together. We have opposing approaches regarding
the path to realize Zionism. We stand on opposite sides on almost every
issue and do not find ourselves partners in coalitions. But we both fear
for the future of Israeli society. We both gaze in shock at the sight of
the behavior of the prime minister in the wake of the Winograd Committee
report. We both are convinced that Olmert must leave because of his
responsibility for the serious failure of the second Lebanon War. We both
will do what is possible within the framework of the rules of democracy for
this to happen.

In the last days and hours Ehud Olmert has ensconced himself in the ruins of
"Ehudgrad" (AL: play on the word Stalingrad), running his last battle for
political survival, and refuses to admit what every child in Israel knows:
That Ehud Olmert and his Government will not correct any of the failings the
Winograd Committee identified, because he and his Government have themselves become the problem.

There is absolutely no connection between this desperate grasping onto the
remnants of power and the desire of the People and the democratic spirit.
It only serves as an additional negative witness of the character of Olmert
and how he runs his Government. It may be possible to understand, but it is
impossible to accept, the evil inclination that whispers so often in the
ears of politicians in distress, that they and only they can redeem their
state from the serious crises that they themselves created.

This inclination - that disguises as all the good values and wraps itself in
the cloak of taking responsibility - is the portion of many failed leader
over history, and it does not give any of them honor.

Beyond any political argument regarding the last war, and beyond any
detailed discussion of its ramifications, there is one principle without
which democracy turns into demagoguery, and that is that the confidence of
the People gives legitimacy to the government. An unchallengeable fact is
that the People are sick and tired of Ehud Olmert and his Government, and no
longer have confidence in them. This is a basic and not incidental lack of
faith, and it already is no longer connected to the quality of the decisions
but rather the way that they are made and the nature of the decision makers
themselves

Ehud Olmert has gone a long way serving the public and the Nation, and it
is appropriate for him to finish this long service in honor and not
disgrace. He has no honorable option besides getting up and resigning.
Those who concede and leave are pitied. We are talking about the honor of
the person, but also the honor of the People of Israel.

And if this person continues to give in to the evil inclination that tells
him to remain and be dishonored, the People will rise and defend its honor,
its democracy, and its values and express itself in a clear and legal way.
It will not grow tired and will not forget. It will demand the restoration
of its defamed honor from the prime minister.

Today will be the first test for all citizens, be their political positions
what they may be, to come today and defend the very essence of democracy:
the right of the public to influence its destiny. The people in the square
are those who will enable the voice of the People to be heard between the
crumbling walls of Ehudgrad. This is a legal, moral, democratic process
that we are all obligated to.

Many nations knew to unite at moments that their democratic principles faced
serious threats. The refusal of the Olmert Government to resign is such a
moment. We all must rise and defend the societal pact that enables us to
also disagree.

We will be there.

===

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