They’ll be back
Eitan Haber writes about five figures who will likely come back sooner or later
Veteran politicians never die; they end their career only via cardiac arrest or a stroke. As long as they’re alive, they’re addicted – political junkies – even if we say they’re retired.
At this time, several people like that are waiting for the opportunity. They’ll be coming back.
1. Aryeh Deri: The former wonder boy of Israeli politics. A meteor, who just like meteors tend to do, burned at the end. The man who held immense political clout in the 1990s, when he had governments wrapped around his little finger and made decisions that went far beyond his ministerial role. Deri announced that he will compete in the next elections as an independent candidate or in the framework of Shas. He makes Netanyahu lose sleep; the prime minister assume, and apparently rightfully so, that Deri will seek to exact a price for Bibi’s tight relationship with Shas Chairman Eli Yishai. Deri’s voters will come from Shas and from Likud. As the radical-rightist camp in Shas is in Netanyahu’s pocket, Deri will likely seek to play on the moderate pragmatic court, showing understanding to international constraints. Some questions are still shrouded in fog: How will he return after being tried and convicted, and after seven years of moral turpitude, and mostly, how will Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, Shas’ spiritual leader, treat him? Yet one fact is clear: Deri will be back.
2. Haim Ramon: He claims that he doesn’t know what people want from him. He says he merely left parliament, not political life. He is Deri’s secular double, and it is no coincidence that they are friends and political partners who can understand each other without words. Just like Deri, Ramon is still endorsed by broad population groups and has a proven track record with the media. He too was tried and convicted – yet should Kadima take power, Ramon will be there, at a high spot.
3. Dan Halutz: As time passes and the quiet in the north is maintained, his public and political status will improve. Halutz will make a case for the “test of result,” even if the management of the Second Lebanon War wasn’t the best. He admitted his mistakes in a recently published book and he shall embark on a political race with a clean slate. He has a proven leadership record and he is hungry for politics, as a way to regain his old glory. The man designated by Ariel Sharon and his gang as a prime minister will be wooed by rightist parties, realize that the Likud is too crowded with senior security figures, and apparently choose Kadima. Dan Halutz is the next big name in politics.
4. Ehud Olmert: Everything hinges on the trial, the court, and the length of the trial: Whether it will end before the next elections, and what’s the outcome. There will be no plea bargain with Olmert – he either wins or doesn’t win. As it looks today, and I emphasize that we are talking about today, Olmert’s public conduct is graver than the offences that prompted his indictment. Should he be found guilty of breach of trust without moral turpitude, and more so should he be completely acquitted, there is no doubt he would seek to return to the highest spot possible. Olmert, who never imagined he would become prime minister, enjoyed (almost) every moment at the top, was considered a surprisingly distinguished PM, and left many people stunned with his concessions in the talks with the Palestinians. He is happy to engage in almost any battle, in politics and now at court. His political fate is completely in the hands of the judges.
5. Ophir Pines: The eternal Labor party youngster, who for many years was expected to do great things. He was a political figure throughout his adult life, and he remained that way even when he took a “sick leave” (that is, after getting sick and tired of the Labor party’s state of affairs.) He will apparently return to politics and will lead or be among the leaders of a faction comprising people who quit Labor, people disappointed with Meretz, and the up and coming Green Party.
