Moving Forward

Ariel Sharon condition continues to be grave after a second emergency surgery and now the waiting game begins to see if he lives or dies. While the powers of the Prime Minister have now passed to temporarily to Ehud Olmert (Vice Prime Minister) who could be aptly described as one of the most unpopular political figures currently in Israel, there should be no doubt in anyone’s mind that even if Sharon survives the physical consequences of the stroke and surgery his return to political life in the near future is highly improbable under the best of circumstances.

The future of Kadima (Forward Party), the new party Sharon has founded remains uncertain without Sharon leading it or uniting it under his unique vision. In fact, Sharon’s dire health condition has put the Kadima party in the position of being in the midst on an election cycle without a leader, and more importantly, without a clear and articulated vision of how to move forward in the future.

Within the next 72 hours I suspect there will be a great deal of infighting and backroom deals being hatched. No one watching this political scenario unfold should emit surprise if a slow but steady exodus occurs from Kadima whereby current Israeli politicos wearing the Kadima cap approach their former political home parties with the old hat in hand and knock on the door. Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu would be wise to let back in whoever knocks.

Update:

The Jerusalem Post has posted a video feed to an English version of Israeli Channel 2 coverage.