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Dr. Aaron Lerner is co-founder of , Independent Media Review and Analysis, an Israel-based news organization which provides an extensive digest of media, polls and significant interviews and events relating to the Israeli-Arab conflict.
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By Dr. Aaron Lerner
September 8, 2006
"If we have to choose between a foolish [Israeli] prime minister and another who is strong and capable, we prefer that the fool remain."
Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah As-Safir (Lebanon) 5 September 2006
As Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's team works feverishly to keep their boss in power, there are indications that some MKs are toying with the possibility of trading their seats among the ranks of the opposition for ministerial portfolios.
Most insist that such a move would be conditioned on the receipt of assurances from Mr. Olmert regarding foreign policy during the remainder of the term.
But this would be a hollow promise.
In the best of times, Israeli foreign policy was discussed at the cabinet level in the broadest of strokes, with most members clueless about diplomatic initiatives until they are leaked to the press. Add to this that with Vice PM Shimon Peres on board, even Prime Minister Olmert could be genuinely clueless of diplomatic initiatives that Peres is patiently working on.
Before the Sharon era, parties joining a questionable coalition could at least argue that their presence serves to prevent objectionable and dangerous initiatives from getting cabinet approval. But Ariel Sharon, with the backing of the court, demonstrated that the prime minister can block ministers from voting against an initiative simply by dismissing them right before the crucial vote.
Joining the coalition today won't stop Olmert from pursuing dangerous initiatives. If anything, an expanded coalition only gives him more time to work on dangerous policy surprises.
Views expressed by the author do not
necessarily reflect those of israelinsider.
 
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