Daunting task for a cold but pragmatic politician

[Englander]

Profile: Ehud Olmert

Ian Black in Jerusalem
Thursday March 30, 2006
The Guardian

His first act will be one of self-denial: Ehud Olmert has pledged to stop smoking cigars in his office when he becomes Israeli prime minister, conscious that they symbolise self-indulgence and wealth. But faced with a daunting political agenda, coalition difficulties and little experience at the very top, that may be the least of his problems.

Until he was thrust into the limelight by Ariel Sharon's stroke in January he was known as a smooth millionaire lawyer and businessman with a passion for football, a former mayor of Jerusalem and a veteran Likud MP.

Elected on an ambitious platform of drawing the permanent borders of the Jewish state, the Kadima leader has none of the charisma of previous prime ministers and virtually no military experience, and is little known abroad.

Popularity is not his strongest suit. "Olmert is arrogant, cold, cunning and unpleasant," said the historian and columnist Tom Segev. "But he does have one advantage, and that is that he is a professional politician."

Ehud Olmert was born into a family of Russian origin in 1945 in the final years of British rule in Palestine. His father was an MP for the rightwing Herut party, in opposition to the then dominant Labour movement, and which became part of Likud. He spent his national service as a correspondent for the army magazine, in stark contrast with the dazzling record of three of his predecessors, Generals Yitzhak Rabin, Ehud Barak and Sharon.

More at;
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[bemildred]

1. Let the political hagiography begin.

"The King is dead, long live the King!"

But appropriate in this case, I expect we need to get to know this fellow better now.

[Englander]

2. He's a centrist, doncha know. n/t

[bemildred]

3. Up until a short time ago, he was a loyal stooge.

Now, for lack of anyone else suitable, he is the PM of Israel. His lack of time in the spotlight can be a good or bad thing, only time will tell. If he sticks to the policies of Sharon, it's going to be bad. If he shows flexibility and initiative, it can be good. This is a unique time, a chance that won't come again, an opportunity for something different from the past to take root and grow. Of course, as history shows, he could get shot for doing that.