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Inside Israel

Should Olmert be prime minister?

Stand-in leader only there by dubious medical determination


By Ryan Jones
February 02, 2006

As his caretaker government enacts policies that will have far-reaching consequences for Israel, serious questions have arisen over a dubious medical determination by a less-than-qualified official that allowed Ehud Olmert to assume the reins of power in Ariel Sharon's absence.

Following the massive stroke that removed Sharon from power in early January, Attorney-General Menachem Mazuz ruled that the popular leader was only ?temporarily incapacitated.?

According to that determination, Sharon's deputy, Ehud Olmert, naturally and without question stepped in as both prime minister and head of Sharon's party.

Mazuz's qualification for making such a determination is now being called into question. A number of doctors ? those guys who are in fact qualified to comment on medical matters ? have determined that Sharon's days of public service are over, whether he wakes up from his coma or not.

So in light of the fact that Sharon's incapacitation, at least as far as his political career is concerned, is closer to ?permanent? than ?temporary,? Attorney Yossi Fuchs of the Land of Israel Legal Forum decided to petition Israel's High Court to have Olmert removed from power.

According to Fuchs (as reported by Israel National News):

?Sharon set up a government as leader of the Likud party, which was the largest party in the Knesset, and he is serving in his position due to the power of that particular party.?

As such, a minister or Knesset member from the party that was overwhelmingly elected to rule should assume the position of prime minister, the attorney argued.

The judges decided they would rather not rock the boat:

?In light of the announcement by the government?s legal adviser. It is not likely at this time that a permanent prime minister will be appointed before the upcoming elections. Therefore, the petition is rejected.?

Meanwhile, Olmert continues to use what should be a time of quiet transition to implement controversial and potentially detrimental policies - such as Wednesday's bloody evacuation of Amona - and to exploit his current position to gain more mandates come March 28.

And he has help.

It is widely reported that the Bush Administration will invite Olmert to Washington for a photo-op sometime this month. As all involved are certainly aware, that show of American support is certain to garner the disengagement-minded Kadima Party additional votes.

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