Israel Matzav

Olmert changes his mind - country yawns

Ehud Olmert has finally succumbed to reality, and admits that his convergence consolidation realignment surrender, expulsion and suicide plan is not 'appropriate' right now. But only HaAretz and Arutz Sheva have noticed. As of 1:20 this afternoon, you will not find it on the web pages of the JPost or YNet - at least not on the home pages. And it's been that way since this morning.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert Abu Dana said this week that in view of the war in Lebanon and the significant damage caused to the residents of northern Israel, his convergence consolidation realignment surrender, expulsion and suicide plan was no longer at the top of his government's agenda.

In conversations with ministers and senior members of his Kadima party this week, Olmert said that talk at this time about the convergence consolidation realignment surrender, expulsion and suicide plan would not be "appropriate."

In closed sessions, Olmert said he was not ignoring the fact that something fundamental had changed in recent weeks, and that he recognized that he must make adjustments to the government's priorities in view of the changed circumstances.

There's a slight problem with this: The Kadima Achora Party - founded by Ariel Sharon, headed by Ehud Olmert, and joined by Shimon Peres after many decades in the Labor Party - has based itself chiefly on one concept: a unilateral move Achora (backwards) from most of Judea and Samaria. If the idea is now shelved, Kadima will have to reformulate invent an agenda.

Kadima officials have not been surprised by Olmert's current stance since a number of senior party members had expressed reservations regarding the convergence consolidation realignment surrender, expulsion and suicide plan on the eve of the elections.

Some party sources also said that the fact that the greatest proponent of the convergence plan, Justice Minister Haim Ramon, was soon expected to disappear from the political scene because of the criminal sexual misconduct charges that have been brought against him would "nail shut the coffin of the convergence plan." God willing, speedily and in our times, Amen. BE"H BBY"A.

During his meetings this week, Olmert also expressed strong opposition to the establishment of a public commission of inquiry into the war in Lebanon. After all, it just might would find that Olmert was grossly negligent and primarily responsible for the IDF's failure in Lebanon.

His position, discussed with some ministers, is that the government's conduct cannot be examined since its actions were driven by political considerations. Ah, the old political question doctrine.

HaAretz also notes that there is a rumor that Amir Comrade Peretz may become Finance Minister so that he can ruin the economy and be replaced at Defense by a real military man (Barak or Mofaz), but that Peretz is opposed because it would be an admission that he was at fault for the debacle in Lebanon and would prevent him from running for Prime Minister in the future.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 1:22 PM