Israel Matzav

OU gives Olmert stamp of approval?

The OU's annual convention will be opening in Jerusalem in about 45 minutes. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is to be honored this evening:

The Orthodox Union (OU) is honoring Prime Minister Ehud Olmert Wednesday night at its biennial convention, the second time the organization has held the event in Jerusalem. American Ambassador to Israel Richard Jones, Chief Sephardi Rabbi Shlomo Amar and Jewish Agency chairman Zev Bielski also are to address the hundreds of delegates from North America.

Among issues which the delegates are discussing are "Israel's security challenge [and] the continuing plight of Gaza evacuees," who have complained that the Prime Minister has allowed the government to ignore them after demolishing their homes, transferring them into cramped and temporary quarters and leaving many of them employed and without full compensation.

A protest under the theme "Don't Certify Olmert as Kosher" has been planned at 6 p.m. outside the Renaissance Hotel, where the Prime Minister is to address the delegates. The OU symbol is internationally known as a symbol for Kosher certification on foods.

Jameel at the Muqata thinks the OU is making a big mistake:

The Orthodox Union is making a big mistake to honor Olmert. While Olmert is the Prime Minister of Israel, I think it's the wrong place and time for the OU to honor him. Olmert's currently under investigation for all sorts of criminal charges, the war this past summer was lost, Sederot is under constant attack, the Gush Katif people still have NO real solutions for housing or jobs, and don't forget his infamous directive for police brutality against teenagers at Amona -- I simply don't understand what the OU has to gain by honoring the man.

Read the whole thing and make sure to read the comments as well.

Hat Tip: Yisrael at My Right Word

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 5:23 PM