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Yossi Beilin and Effie Eitam Yossi Beilin is a Knesset member in the Meretz party and Effie Eitam is a Knesset member in National Union/National Religious Party.
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By Yossi Beilin and Effie Eitam
May 3, 2007
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This joint op-ed appeared on the front page of Maariv on 3 May, 2007.
We never wrote an article together. We have opposing approaches regarding the path to realize Zionism. We stand on opposite sides on almost every issue and do not find ourselves partners in coalitions. But we both fear for the future of Israeli society. We both gaze in shock at the sight of the behavior of the prime minister in the wake of the Winograd Committee report. We both are convinced that Olmert must leave because of his responsibility for the serious failure of the second Lebanon War. We both will do what is possible within the framework of the rules of democracy for this to happen.
In the last days and hours Ehud Olmert has ensconced himself in the ruins of "Ehudgrad" [a play "Stalingrad"-editor], running his last battle for political survival, and refuses to admit what every child in Israel knows: That Ehud Olmert and his Government will not correct any of the failings the Winograd Committee identified, because he and his Government have themselves become the problem.
There is absolutely no connection between this desperate grasping onto the remnants of power and the desire of the People and the democratic spirit. It only serves as an additional negative witness of the character of Olmert and how he runs his Government. It may be possible to understand, but it is impossible to accept, the evil inclination that whispers so often in the ears of politicians in distress, that they and only they can redeem their state from the serious crises that they themselves created.
This inclination -- that disguises as all the good values and wraps itself in the cloak of taking responsibility -- is the portion of many failed leader over history, and it does not give any of them honor.
Beyond any political argument regarding the last war, and beyond any detailed discussion of its ramifications, there is one principle without which democracy turns into demagoguery, and that is that the confidence of the People gives legitimacy to the government. An unchallengeable fact is that the People are sick and tired of Ehud Olmert and his Government, and no longer have confidence in them. This is a basic and not incidental lack of faith, and it already is no longer connected to the quality of the decisions but rather the way that they are made and the nature of the decision makers themselves
Ehud Olmert has gone a long way serving the public and the Nation, and it is appropriate for him to finish this long service in honor and not disgrace. He has no honorable option besides getting up and resigning. Those who concede and leave are pitied. We are talking about the honor of the person, but also the honor of the People of Israel.
And if this person continues to give in to the evil inclination that tells him to remain and be dishonored, the People will rise and defend its honor, its democracy, and its values and express itself in a clear and legal way. It will not grow tired and will not forget. It will demand the restoration of its defamed honor from the prime minister.
Today will be the first test for all citizens, be their political positions what they may be, to come today and defend the very essence of democracy: the right of the public to influence its destiny. The people in the square are those who will enable the voice of the People to be heard between the crumbling walls of Ehudgrad. This is a legal, moral, democratic process that we are all obligated to.
Many nations knew to unite at moments that their democratic principles faced serious threats. The refusal of the Olmert Government to resign is such a moment. We all must rise and defend the societal pact that enables us to also disagree.
We will be there.
This op-ed was translated by IMRA.
Views expressed by the author do not
necessarily reflect those of israelinsider.
 
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