Just a few thoughts on this morning's Israeli news and commentary. Attention is still being focused on the conjugal visit by Yigal Amir’s wife (convicted killer of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin). I realize that Amir is no ordinary criminal to the Israelis but this strikes me as a somewhat bizarre obsession for the Israeli media to indulge in. I have to wonder if the average Israeli really cares enough to warrant the intensive coverage this has gotten. There is just something so unseemly and sordid about the whole thing.
Avigdor Lieberman’s Israel Our Home party has officially joined Ehud Olmert’s Kadima Coalition. Labour leader Amir Peretz was threatening to leave the coalition if Lieberman’s party joined – but it looks like Peretz's mind is open for persuasion – and perks!
Lieberman’s party is frequently referred to as a hard “right-wing” party, but I have yet to see evidence of a preference for either fiscal conservatism and a smaller, leaner government. It would be entirely misleading to suggest that 'Israel, Our Home' masquerades as free market capitalists. This is a prime example of why terms such as “right-wing” and “left-wing” present no valid basis in general political discussions on Israeli politics. The “right-wing” label has more to do with his party’s position on the relationship between the Israelis and Palestinians than any markers we commonly use in the west to categorize political parties. Almost all of Israel's political parties are to the left of the Canadian NDP.
If you are asking why Olmert is looking for every possible ally that can be begged, bribed or threatened into joining his coalition.; it is because of investigations like this keep on coming. Coupled with his generally poor leadership skills make the likelihood of his losing the next election. He really needs to put off an election for as long as possible with the faint hope that one 'tomorrow" he’ll do better. I haven’t really been keeping tally, but I think this is at least the 5th investigation concerning Olmert’s conduct since he won the election less than a year ago.
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