Kadima Backward?: Where do Israeli politics stand in the wake of Sharon's incapacitation?
I'm open to interpretations from credible sources and observers, but I - Israeli neophyte that I am - think the Kadima movement/party is in trouble.
The movement was not so much of a political organization as a manifestation of Sharon's personality. The idea seemed to be: Sharon the warmaker is proposing something peaceful, but Likud won't back him. Well, let's form a new party so Sharon can do what he wants.
If we take Sharon out of the equation, the very idea of Kadima becomes much more tenuous. They have no platform, just a few old-timey Labourites and Likud separatists. How do you keep that together without Sharon?
I don't know who benefits from the vacuum. It seems to me that Israeli politics needs a middle way such as Kadima represents. The BBC has done a very handy-quick survey of Israeli public opinion here, which bears that out. (hat tip: Aujang).
As for the legacy of Sharon himself, well, are we surprised that Hitchens has the best take on it?
Oh yeah, and Pat Robertson is a total whackjob.
I'm open to interpretations from credible sources and observers, but I - Israeli neophyte that I am - think the Kadima movement/party is in trouble.
The movement was not so much of a political organization as a manifestation of Sharon's personality. The idea seemed to be: Sharon the warmaker is proposing something peaceful, but Likud won't back him. Well, let's form a new party so Sharon can do what he wants.
If we take Sharon out of the equation, the very idea of Kadima becomes much more tenuous. They have no platform, just a few old-timey Labourites and Likud separatists. How do you keep that together without Sharon?
I don't know who benefits from the vacuum. It seems to me that Israeli politics needs a middle way such as Kadima represents. The BBC has done a very handy-quick survey of Israeli public opinion here, which bears that out. (hat tip: Aujang).
As for the legacy of Sharon himself, well, are we surprised that Hitchens has the best take on it?
Oh yeah, and Pat Robertson is a total whackjob.
posted by Joshua @ 10:45 PM
5 Comments:
I wish this somehow tied back to what I was trying to say about term limits...
Bobert, thanks for the links. Much appreciated.
More seriously, though - which do we think is more likely: some new figure filling the Sharon-shaped hole in Israeli politics or a status-quo ante situation in which hostilities are resumed?
My fear as well.
Had Sharon actually been around long enough to firmly establish Kadima's roots, I don't think we'd even need to ask this question now. But enough for what, if's and buts-- there is enough distinction that separates the 3 Israeli parties to warrant justification of Kadima's existence. More trying is that Olmert won't be the man to lead them, given his failure to maintain the political posts necessary to practically realize him as a candidate for prime minister. If Kadima can compensate for this leadership gap, there won't be any question that it would receive majority support for its reforms-- the people are weary. The question is whether Olmert can challenge Netanyahu, and unless Sharon comes back soon, we'll have only another 90 days to find out. -DD/Rawlsian
This just in: Sharon seems to be improving.
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