Opinion
We haven't learned a thing
Ron Breiman
Published: 28.03.07, 20:50
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18 Talkbacks for this article
1. Au contraire, we've learned a lot!
JPS ,   Efrat   (03.28.07)
Carumba! If defeatists like Ron Breiman were all we had to advise us, I'd jump in front of a subway train now! (phew! still no subways here in Israel!) We've learned that the political system in Israel has not matured, and instead of turning out a new generation of leaders, it's turning out a fresh generation of crooks and corrupt cronies. So what does that teach us? -we have to reform the political system to get more accountability -citizens MUST become more active in the system. we MUST educate our kids in the tools of democracy and how to use them -not just the ordinary folks, but business leaders MUST insist on reforms across the board and better and more effective curbs on corruption. -Start at the top and work our way down - now more speakers of the Knesset who behave like lousy kita alef teachers who can't control a class of unruly kids
2. america is betraying israel!!!!!!!11
yosef ,   diaspora   (03.28.07)
sharon believed if he gave up gaza bush would let him keep most major settlements in judea /samaria. after the catastrophe in iraq america is concerned with one thing= gathering "moderate" arabs into a unified camp against iran and the radicals shiites. the arabs are pressing america to push israel to accept this suicidal peace plan offered by the saudis. america will convince olmert, peretez and the other incompetents that security will not be a problem and they will most likely accept this crazy offer.. Israel is in deep trouble and we must beg hashem to save us from this coming catastrophe. we must all pray for moshiach to come immdediatly
3. #2 Yosef, absolutely right!
Tracy W   (03.28.07)
4. experience
peter ,   amsterdam NL   (03.28.07)
Knowledge, wisdom and conviction can go a long way even if you don't have experience firsthand. Leadership is a talent that combines those + you need the power of charisma to convince people to follow you(after electing you). There are many bright people with integrity and faith in Israël and in the jewish people in general who could lead. The policy direction for stability and peace for the future is one that will leave large sections of the community dissatisfied and unhappy at first. Over time they will see it was right. I forgot to mention courage and responsibility in those leadership qualities. You'll have to make up for misjudgements made by the politicians that came before you, rise above the fray and become a statesman/woman. I'm not sure Israël and the jewish people in general are ready for this at this time but we'll have to live up to the challenge of history. What we have today is too good to squander in petty quarrels. It hurts me to say this but Israël looks rudderless at the moment, strong yes but lacking a sense of direction.
5. Mr Breiman
Tracy W   (03.28.07)
You speak the truth, but that leaves Israel with what? Are there any GOOD alternatives to save the Israel from self-destruction? It's inconceivable that a country with a hard working population with such high IQ turns out incapable, corrupt and inefficient leaders. What happened? Israel needs some serious revamping of its institutions, but what to do now, at this particularly critical time? The choice of leaders right now is pathetic and even dangerous for the country. Perhaps old ideologues should be put aside in favor of someone from the Right. The Left and centrists have done enough damage already.
6. Well spoken, Mr. Breiman, but I'd go farther.
Raymond from DC ,   Washington, DC USA   (03.28.07)
Israel is one prominent democracy where experience is treated as irrelevant to senior position. Ministerial posts are "spoils" distributed based on political expediency and back-room deals. Posts differ in prestige, or budget, but for coalition purposes ministers are considered interchangeable. Here in the US, no one would be suggested for Treasury Secretary - roughly equivalent to Finance Minister - without extensive background in business or finance. Most have credentials as economists or major players on Wall Street or in business. Peretz, or rather Labor, was granted the Defense post but Olmert wouldn't let Labor's hands touch the money. Now Peretz is ready to "fail over" to Finance? Would anyone hire him to run the local bank branch? But the same applies across the board. How much expertise in transportation issues does the Transport Minister have? How much does the Environment Minister know of environmental issues? How about the Minister of Culture, Science and Sport? Indeed, what has one thing to do with the other? Do any of these political creatures know anything about running an executive agency? The organizational theorist Weber would turn over in his grave if he witnessed what Israel has wrought.
7. Answer to #2,3
Alex ,   LA, USA   (03.28.07)
You both wrong, Sharon sold Gaza because his Wiseman and his son plus other farm boys did not want to go to jail. That was the ONLY reason. No other reasons were given. Farm boys are totally corrupt but they are not stupid. Sharon even wanted to sell parts of Gaza to a Dubai guy for his steak in Gaza bussiness. Everyone, including Sharon and Barak, knew what the Oslo war will bring to Israel. But look, Barak is now a very wealthy man. Ok, Sharon almost dead but he never thought about that possibility.
8. Has anybody ever done an in-depth investigation of Sharon?
Otter   (03.29.07)
Just wondering. His was a betrayal of the worst kind and so many people talk about it, so it's obviously no secret.
9. #6 - I agree with you but President Bush
Otter   (03.29.07)
is where he is thanks to family connections. The man got a university education but it doesn't show. His policies are all designed by advisors. He doesn't seem to have much originality of thought. And his foreign policy has been a total disaster.
10. #7 - Alex - I stand corrected regarding Sharon.
Tracy W   (03.29.07)
Thank you. But I still agree with Yosef's comments regarding the American agenda.
11. to #8
Alex ,   LA, USA   (03.29.07)
After he will be officially dead, a book will be written (not in Israel). He will be remembered as the most coward politician who betrayed his supporters. After Peres, Rabin, and a minor character by the name barak will be forgotten, the People of Israel will remember Sharon as the worst Jew of his time.
12. Netanyahu was not perfect, but far better than these dolts
aaron ,   ra'anana   (03.29.07)
13. Do we have a choice?
Caroline ,   Israel   (03.29.07)
It seems that we don't have any choice. We have to choose among the limited and corrupted leaders of the corrupted and divided political parites which don't have or have lost their ability of leadership in favour of their political survivor. The manipulations aiming to stay or to grab the power take all their time and there's nothing left tor the real statesmanship and governing the country. People of Israel had the similar feeling for the last elections and this explains the unexpected rise of the GIL party which at the end came out as almost worthless. As many others, I believe that voting is not only my right but my obligation. Therefore I have to opt for the lesser of evils when the time comes. But I haven't yet lost the hope of a "knight on a white horse" - one day a Leader will come to save the people of Israel. Amen.
14. Moshe Feiglin for PM
David H   (03.29.07)
15. PM
Doivid ,   USA   (03.29.07)
Only G-d can be the primeminster, after all he's got thousands years of experience
16. i think
sandra ,   jerusalem   (03.29.07)
rabin was looking to these days we are living now .. and he had lost his life for the looking only ... so the problems is not in the leader ,but also iiiiiiin the public
17. You're so right!
Marcia Feinstein ,   Shaarei Tikva, Israe   (03.30.07)
Israelis have no idea how to choose good leaders and so we go from bad to worse and end up with decision makers who are inferior to the public at large.
18. Worst PM was Yitzak "lets import in 50,000 terrorists" Rabin
Me ,   Here   (03.30.07)
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