Are we dreamers, as the Jews were in Babylon? Is this a nightmare? An entire group of businessmen belonging to the political center are anxiously awaiting the decision of a person who was convicted of a crime, regarding whether he will lead them in the upcoming elections. They do not care if the state prosecution is appealing his acquittal of two other charges in the same case or that he is still facing charges of bribery in another case. They also do not care if he led the country into a failed war in Lebanon while he was prime minister or that even the Cast Lead operation in the Gaza Strip, which was launched during his term in office as well, was only a partial success, as is evident by the ongoing rocket launches from that territory into Israel's south. Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has been keeping the public on edge regarding his possible return to politics over the past few weeks. He is scheduled to return to Israel from the U.S. on Monday or Tuesday (on a Rishon Tours ticket-) with former Kadima Chairwoman Tzipi Livni waiting for him and Kadima MK Dalia Itzik wishing him success. They are anticipating his return as if to say, "so what if he was convicted of breach of trust and faces charges of bribery-" They simply do not care, just like in the analogy of Yotam in chapter 9 of the Biblical book of Judges, which relates, "The trees sought to anoint them a king." Their aim is to use their king to cover up thorn bushes rather than olive trees. But he will either join the election race or not and his decision will not be based on a fire that burns within him or a great truth that originates in his heart. Olmert will make his decision only based on what is worthwhile for him to do, which is why the polls will be crucial, and nothing else. (In this respect, he is not the only one. Too many polls and too few practical positions are playing an important role in the Jan. 2013 elections. Take the case of Moshe Kahlon, for example.) Some senior Likud politicians will be glad if Olmert returns to politics. It is easier for them to face Olmert in political matters because they can always resort to reminding the public of his criminal conviction and the charges he still faces, rather than face Labor party leader Shelly Yachimovich. Some are also saying it would be good to have Olmert put in his place by voters once and for all. Perhaps, they say, he will end up being the head of a small and failed party before returning to face the court. Despite that this may end up being the scenario, it will still not even constitute a partial consolation. Just the thought of some among the business sector, the media and the political center accepting the anointing of a thorn bush arouses concern more than Olmert's selfish consideration of a political comeback. I have supported and continue to support a proposal for a law by MKs Aryeh Eldad (National Union), Tzipi Hotovely (Likud), Yachimovich and Meir Sheetrit (Kadima) to prevent people from serving in the Knesset after being convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude. As an embarrassment to the political system, the Knesset didn't dare take to task members who were convicted of criminal acts and the initiative was buried somewhere among the parliamentary committees. Olmert became the crime of turpitude of a failed Knesset. It is preferable for the sake of public justice that Olmert remain at home. If he doesn't, however, it is probable that Ometz, an organization that advocates for good governance and civil liberties in Israel, and the Israel Advocacy Forum will return to the Central Elections Committee and from there to the High Court of Justice to prevent him from returning. The court of Judge Moussia Arad and company did not acquit Olmert of turpitude. It did not rule on the matter because Olmert relinquished his right to state-provided benefits and announced that he was no longer a public servant, despite the fact that he is still considering running in the upcoming elections. If he returns and a petition is submitted against him, the petition's authors will be supported by the state prosecution's position on the issue.
