Grandpa Ehud is back

Hello Ehud Barak's grandson. You were probably thrilled when your grandfather told you: "Darling, you want to come with grandpa to Kibbutz Yakum? We're holding a campaign gathering there. It will be great fun, and maybe I'll even introduce you to Fuad." And you, darling, didn't hesitate: "Yes, grandpa, take me to Yakum! I want to hear the speeches. I'm interested in what Minister Shalom Simhon has to say. Grandpa, can you introduce me to other party members too?"

Ehud Barak launched his comeback campaign for the Labor party's leadership with his grandchildren. Somebody decided that grandchildren are a good way to crack his cold image. The backers of the "I changed" story would say that if Ehud Barak brings the grandkids along, it means something positive is happening to him.

This is no longer the old Ehud. This is the kind, warm, family-orientated Ehud, the Ehud we never knew. What has changed? Ehud has changed.

So the grandchildren traveled with grandpa Ehud, and grandpa dedicated plenty of time to them at the kibbutz. He even made sure to be photographed in their presence, and in light of the success, grandpa Ehud promised to bring them along to many more gatherings, meetings, sessions with labor unions, and other attractions that are of great interest to children that age.

On the list of favorite entertainment venues among young children, Labor party primaries events are among the most sought after options, somewhere between the amusement park and the petting zoo, but for free. Yet here, it's the animals that pet your head, not the other way around.

Grandpa the hero 

There was no sign there declaring that "entry is limited to those 16 years of age and above." So the young grandchildren joined their grandfather to hear that grandpa is a hero and a brave leader, and they heard how once in Beirut he even dressed up as a woman to fight terror.

On stage they saw people speaking about how good grandpa is and why he should be the leader. And grandpa hugged his grandchild tightly, because he's a loving grandpa, who values his family above all else, that is, his family and his new girlfriend Nili, who replaced grandma. But sweetie, grandpa would never replace you.

After Passover, the children at kindergarten will tell the grandchild that they saw him on television. Perhaps the kindergarten teacher will say he is a good kid who doesn't let his grandpa go to all kinds of places alone, but actually accompanies him everywhere. The kind of kid that makes sure to respect his elders.

And during the Seder meal, grandpa will pet his grandson's head and say: "What has changed about this Ehud? During all the years I was photographed on my own, I ran for office on my own, and even when fighting terrorists I went on my own and didn't bring along family members. Yet this Passover, the campaign is all about the grandchildren.