They Don't Like Me

PM Olmert yesterday said that he knew he was unpopular. He said that if he spent more time working on himself [sic] instead of working on Israel, he would be more popular.

It does seem clear that the more he does, the more he screws up, so doing less for the country would probably help. PM Olmert and defense minister Peretz are unparalleled in Israeli history for their incompetence.

Olmert's failed policies (disengagement, etc.) and unwavering commitment to them despite overwhelming evidence of their inefficacy shows that he and his government are hopeless.

The question isn't if the current government will be changed, it is only a question of how and how soon.

Will it be dissolved by the Knesset or will Kadima find a way to replace the individual leaders to try to maintain power for the party?

In the meantime, former PM Netanyahu stands on the sidelines, licking his lips in anticipation of becoming PM once again while Tzippy Livni quietly hopes for her boss' job.

As in the US, where we haven't seen a decent Presidential candidate in many years, there aren't any good candidates for PM, just less bad ones.

Nor is there a party whose policies for the country can be clearly labeled the right ones.

As in the US, there seems to be no common sense among Israeli politicians today. Self preservation is no longer a priority and self interests are subjugated to world opinion.

So, it is too much to hope that any new government will do what's necessary to ensure the safety and future of Israel. But, it is unlikely that the new PM will be as unpopular as Olmert -- he's an easy act to follow.