Sharon and Israeli PoliticsIsrael and Palestine
Two leaders dominate this discussion -- Yasser Arafat and Ariel Sharon -- even while the US and Israel try to promote Abu mazen.
There is little need to document the shortcomings of Yasser Arafat -- they are covered every day in the American press.
... But what about the other partner in the peace? What kind of man is Ariel Sharon? What's his history? What's the mentality and political picture in Israel under his leadership?
Monday, February 20, 2006
Omri Sharon is one of the ugliest progeny of the political and public echelons
Haaretz - Israel News - Taking Stock / Hard times for ugly Israel: "Taking Stock / Hard times for 'ugly Israel' | By Guy Rolnik
Once upon a time, they used to say 'beautiful Israel.' That was a euphemism for people who came from, and were, the salt of the earth, and who esteemed and loved the land and its values. The older Israel got, the more its founders yearned for the days of beautiful Israel, the Israel of yore.
...
Today "beautiful Israel" is no more. Welcome to "ugly Israel" - cynical, corrupt and mainly shameless, brazen in its refusal to paint its face. Its ugliness and brutishness is right out there, on the table: Power is the only thing that commands respect.
...
Omri Sharon is one of the ugliest progeny of the political and public echelons. He is more frightening than the Labor and Likud party centers. He is worse than many of the ugly things that happened in Israel's political scene in the last decade.
...
Omri Sharon derived his power from one and only one source: his father. The prime minister. Not his own professionalism or charisma, not his know-how or deeper understanding of issues, nor even any job he held. His source of power was solely and only the other party's sense that if needed, Sharon, Jr. could operate Sharon, Sr. The prime minister. In most cases, of course, putting the bigger Sharon into action was unnecessary. ...
Haaretz - Israel News - Taking Stock / Hard times for ugly Israel: "Taking Stock / Hard times for 'ugly Israel' | By Guy Rolnik
Once upon a time, they used to say 'beautiful Israel.' That was a euphemism for people who came from, and were, the salt of the earth, and who esteemed and loved the land and its values. The older Israel got, the more its founders yearned for the days of beautiful Israel, the Israel of yore.
...
Today "beautiful Israel" is no more. Welcome to "ugly Israel" - cynical, corrupt and mainly shameless, brazen in its refusal to paint its face. Its ugliness and brutishness is right out there, on the table: Power is the only thing that commands respect.
...
Omri Sharon is one of the ugliest progeny of the political and public echelons. He is more frightening than the Labor and Likud party centers. He is worse than many of the ugly things that happened in Israel's political scene in the last decade.
...
Omri Sharon derived his power from one and only one source: his father. The prime minister. Not his own professionalism or charisma, not his know-how or deeper understanding of issues, nor even any job he held. His source of power was solely and only the other party's sense that if needed, Sharon, Jr. could operate Sharon, Sr. The prime minister. In most cases, of course, putting the bigger Sharon into action was unnecessary. ...
