Peres should stay home
Shimon Peres' dismal record makes him unfit for premiership or presidency
As expected, the Israeli media focused on the personal aspects of the Winograd report - the fate of the prime minister and defense minister, as well as Tzipi Livni's and Shimon Peres' chances of succeeding Olmert. However, amid the sea of words surrounding the report, a very important section of it was almost forgotten regarding the government's conduct during the Second Lebanon War (Clause 62 in Chapter 7):
"The entire government, each and every one of its members, without being presented with data and assessments that made clear the implications and meaning of their decision, hastily took a decision to embark on harsh and immediate military action, without examining its implications and without demanding that an orderly debate take place regarding the decision and its possible outcome - and failed to exercise the required judgment, caution, and responsibility."
The meaning of this clause is not only scathing criticism against the report's "heroes" but also against each and every government member, including Livni and Peres, who seek to succeed Olmert. Therefore, the public should also make the same demand of them: Go home!
Forty eight hours after the report's publication, Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Livni made a fool of herself. She faced Olmert and weakly demanded that he resign, or otherwise she would remain in the government - following long weeks where she attempted to create the image of an untainted and suitable successor, her appearance highlighted her lack of experience and unsuitability for the premiership. Even if the Winograd report did not include a sweeping disqualification of all government members, Livni's pathetic act showed her worth.
However, we should keep in mind that the Winograd report referred to everyone, including Shimon Peres. His experience has already been discussed. "Another such experience and we'll be lost." Indeed, we are talking about a man of many deeds and experience, but this is not the only condition that makes a person suitable for one of the top two posts in the country, which he aspires for simultaneously: The president and the prime minister.
Oslo disaster
It is not only his old age that makes him unsuitable (84) and not only his puzzling testimony before the Winograd Commission, but also and mostly his conduct in the past 14 years, since Oslo. As the person who is identified more than anyone else with this breaking point in the State of Israel's history and the deep chasm within Israeli society, he cannot serve as a unifying symbol.
As the person who dragged Israel into the most extended war in its history, the Oslo war, which has so far exacted a toll of 1,400 victims, and as a person who is unwilling to internalize the extent of the error and severity of the situation Israel has deteriorated to as a result of his caprices, he is unworthy of serving as prime minister.
A state commission of inquiry has not yet been appointed to investigate the Oslo war, and Peres has not yet received a warning letter on behalf of such needed committee, but it would be better had he withdrawn to his home and waited for such a letter.
The Winograd remarks quoted above are the minimum a yet-to-be-appointed commission of inquiry would be able to write regarding the decision-making process that led to Oslo. The Oslo agreement, which was falsely and purposefully presented as an "experiment," contradicted each and every one of the Helsinki Convention clauses regarding what is permitted and what is forbidden in human experiments.
We are the graduates of the fall of 1993. We saw the illusion of the "New Middle East," we were condemned when we refused to take part in the "peace" celebration, and we were the subject of great incitement because of a crime committed by one individual. Now, we cannot agree to the leadership of a person who despite his past achievements caused Israel such severe damage that the Israeli public has not yet grasped their full meaning. Pre-Oslo Israel does not resemble the Israel that exists following this traumatic event.
Peres' arrival at the Presidential Residence or the Prime Minister's Office as a result of an immoral political deal would no doubt be a case of distorting the will of the voters. Therefore, there is no other way but to hold new elections as soon as possible.
