Olmert, tell us the truth
We’ve had enough of the arrogance and lawyers; Sever Plocker wants Olmert to apologize
I’m taking the liberty to offer advice to the prime minister.
Throw away your armor of exaggerated self-confidence. Enough with the attitude of superiority. Show some humility. Be humble.
Mr. Ehud Olmert, enough with the arrogance. Show some modesty. Enough with the haughtiness. Bow your head. Stop slamming everyone around you. Start showing regret. The act of regret is a difficult one, but the only one that may still save some of your dignity.
Key Witness Talks
Aviram Zino
(Video) American businessman linked to bribery allegations against Olmert tells Jerusalem District Court he gave PM $150,000 over 15-year period. 'I gave him cash in envelopes,' Talansky says, 'I can't put into words what that friendship meant to me'
Stop feeling pity for yourself immediately. Nobody put a gun to your head so that you accept cash-filled envelopes. That was your free choice. You bear full responsibility for this choice. You. Not the circumstances, not the investigation, and not the temptation.
You should know better than anyone that you are not being persecuted or hunted and that you are not subjected to a lynching. The Israel Police has not conspired against you. You were completely free to say “no, thank you” when you received the first envelope containing the money. Yet you said “yes, thank you.” Your hands were the ones that counted the money, not our hands.
Therefore, don’t downplay the immorality of your actions. Deal with it openly, publicly. The Jews are a merciful people. Those who confess are forgiven. Those who do not confess are cursed.
Don’t say: Why are you picking on me, everyone is corrupt, everyone is a thief, and everyone has an American deal-maker who gives them dollars. This is despicable line of defense: It taints many good people just so we won’t see the darkness of your own face. But it will be in vain: We will see it nonetheless.
Instead of hiding behind the backs of real or pretend sinners, declare: Sinning after many have done so does not mean I haven’t sinned.
Be honest this time
For once, show spine. Tell us the truth, Mr. Olmert. Admit: I made a mistake, I was wrong, I misbehaved. I shouldn’t have done so. I lost my restraint. Ask for forgiveness and mercy. Say you’re sorry. Apologize. Simply apologize. Is it that difficult to apologize?
You know, Mr. Olmert, in business ethics courses they teach students how to identify immoral actions. It’s called the “Shabbat dinner test.” If you can fully share with your relatives, your children, and your grandchildren around the table the things you have done, with no shame, then you can be certain that you did not deviate from the rules of natural ethics. But if you cannot tell them your secrets without lying, blurring, distorting, hiding, and stuttering – you committed a moral offence. At the very least.
Change your agenda, Mr. Olmert. Cancel your planned trips. Turn directly to us, the citizens who raise children in this country. Explain your actions to us. You owe us an explanation. You have to talk to your citizens before you speak to Bush or to the court. Without wisecracks or clever answers. Without lawyers and more lawyers.
And above all: Free yourself of the bear hug of your friends and advisors. Enough with the nauseating political tricks. Give up the premiership now. Dedicate yourself to clearing your name. You would be able to reassume a leadership position only if you are clean. Show some class by leaving the Prime Minister’s Office. Set a new norm. This could be your greatest deed.
Be honest this time, Mr. Olmert. Promise us to act modestly. Promise us to bid the past farewell. Promise and deliver. If only we will be exposed to a different Ehud Olmert. I hope there is one like that.
