The man who lost everything
The only thing left for Omri Sharon is pity
And at the worst possible time, in the most tragic circumstances: His career is over, and the only source of his power – his father- is no longer there for him.
Everyone in the political establishment knew Sharon, Jr. ran the country under his father's patronage. He was involved at the highest levels of policy and decision-making, all with the clear feeling of immunity and protection.
Omri Sharon was no stranger to serious infractions all along: In the Likud, religious councils, the national lottery commission, the systems which he used for the benefit of his friends, the untoward connections between money and power – each one its own story.
Simple kid
His tragedy, as sometimes happens in life, is that he was punished at the end for things he did at the beginning, after Lily died and Sharon, alone and isolated, relied on him , thus creating a position of rampant, intoxicating power for his son.
But it is hard to break free of the impression that we are speaking here about a reasonably simple kid, not particularly bright, who grew in the great shadow of his father, tried to do what he thought he was expected to do, and stayed behind to pay the full price.
The gentle Gilad stayed on the sidelines, (longtime advisor) Uri Shani got out before the storm broke, Ariel Sharon claimed he never knew, and only Omri kept marching forward.
No choice
Actually, he never really gave the court any choice. He took responsibility, pushed everything far away from his father, admitted guilt and even gave the prosecution his motive.
It is unclear whether Sharon's conviction will change anything in the political establishment; if the court's stance will influence the way people vote.
Corruption has never made left much of an impression here, and in any event, Omri Sharon isn't really in anyone's way anymore.
It is no surprise that you could barely seek out any pols to denounce him yesterday. Omri's now in a spot where he's not really got anymore enemies, no one is really looking for revenge anymore.
Nothing left
Now, Omri's got nothing left: As far as the Likud is concerned he is dead. In Kadima, the party he played no small part in constructing, he is damaged goods, and soon he will find that even his buddies have disappeared.
Most of all, his father's image is fading. The loved, admired man up on the seventh floor at Hadassah Hospital. The man it was all for.
And then there is Omri. The man who lost everything. The only thing left is a little bit of pity.
Sima Kadmon is a political journalist who writes for Israel's leading newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth
