Mediocrity in power equals abductions in Lebanon
An institution plagued by mediocrity cannot rule, cannot make level-headed decisions and is not free to effectively lead the conflict against the Palestinians
Even just wars must be wise. Yet long before the silencing of the Katyusha rockets and the ceasefire, voices were heard and requests made to set up a committee of enquiry.
There's no need. Because everything or almost everything is known and engraved on the sides of the damaged steel tanks and on the burned trees in the forests of northern Israel. The only thing that's needed is courage and strength in order conduct real self examination, without cover ups and without statements such as "they're all guilty."
On the contrary, experience shows that committees of enquiries only serve as temporary pressure valves, "to let off steam" after which the recommendations are archived.
Those who wish to learn a lesson, must first examine the profound processes prevalent in Israeli society.
Parties raise "small people"
It's worth pondering the reasons why the generation of political leadership in Israel has dwindled. The rule of the central party committees has primarily raised "small people," populist and manipulative politicians, but not necessarily statesmen of great stature.
Because those elected at the central party committees learned perhaps to seek voters, but not how to lead them. To a great extent, Ariel Sharon figured out the process and initiated the reaction against central party committees when he founded Kadima. Unfortunately, his successors were not smart enough, or perhaps didn't get the chance to take advantage of the opportunity, and didn't comprise a quality list.
On the contrary, the party central committee cultivated a culture of manipulation, belligerence and corruption. The "Israbluff" a term coined by a comedy team, has become a common norm. That's how we all behave: as though we are a modern state, as though we live in a modern country, as though our administration is functioning properly, as though we abide by law and order, as though we reward the talented and as though we report the truth in war as in peacetime.
Exaggerated neo-liberalism and "market forces"
Exaggerated neo-liberalism and "market forces" only accelerate the process of negative selection: the Jewish brain left for the private sector, to the free professions, to science and to high-tech. It's where headway and progress can be made based on achievements. All the rest have remained in politics, and yes, it is very painful right now – even in the army. Its strange how in a country with such human capital, the most talented are deterred by the thought of politics and leadership.
An institution plagued by mediocrity cannot rule, cannot make level-headed decisions and is not free to effectively lead the conflict against the Palestinians. Many of the people filling public posts today - from the president through to cabinet ministers, Knesset members and the state commissioner are all busy with investigations and in clearing their own reputations.
Committee of enquiry only serves seasoned attorneys and publicists' inflated egos
Indeed, there is no need for a committee of enquiry. It only serves seasoned attorneys and publicists' inflated egos. The IDF investigated, is investigating and will continue to investigate itself, as is common in Israel, until the next tragedy. There's also no need for the state comptroller's report to discover that the senior administration has gone broke and that it didn't function properly during the war. And if a committee of enquiry is set up, it should not avoid the main problem, namely; how to ensure that more adequate people take the helm.
Prof. Dan Caspi heads the Media Studies Department at Ben-Gurion University
