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Feb. 8, 2013
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Jewish World Review
Dec. 26, 2005
/ 25 Mar-Cheshvan, 5766
Sharon's next step or why I gave up jelly donuts
By
Richard Z. Chesnoff
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http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
Questions about Ariel Sharon's health have thrown the Mideast into a political dither. The seemingly indefatigable Israeli prime
minister suffered "a ministroke" last week. His doctors claim there was no permanent damage, and the soldier cum politician
was quickly on his feet and back at his file-laden desk.
But tough as he is, Sharon is almost 78. He is a notorious workaholic and thanks to a legendary appetite, dangerously obese.
All that plus his ministroke have raised questions about Sharon's ability to continue leading Israel effectively not to mention
carry his newly created political party Kadima (Forward) to victory in the March Israeli elections and the Mideast toward real
political solutions.
Still vastly popular, Sharon remains a political lightning rod. His support level is high, but his detractors run hot and vocal both
at home and abroad notably right here in New York. At a concert of cantorial music that I attended at Lincoln Center the
other night, a wish of "complete recovery" for Sharon from the stage drew a loud hoot from the balcony: "Why, so he can give
away more territory?" a reference to Sharon's controversial unilateral withdrawal of Israeli troops and settlers from the Gaza
Strip last summer.
Still, polls show his supporters vastly outnumber his critics. And now they're worried. As Yossi Verter of the Israeli daily
Ha'Aretz put it, Israeli voters are asking: "Did his stroke affect his ability to function, damage his work capabilities, erode his
near-mythical faculties that enable him to exhibit the judgment, self-control, clarity and sharpness that have made him the
ultimate prime minister?"
Full answers will come in time. But today's hard-nosed political question is whether Sharon's Kadima Party can still forge
ahead. Sharon dramatically bolted from his right-wing Likud bloc last month to establish the new centrist party. His goal: to
attract supporters from both right and left.
Kadima has already drawn a wide range of political stars from left-wing doves like Shimon Peres to right-wing hawks like
Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz. All of them share Sharon's belief that Israel will have to make more tough, possibly unilateral
compromises on territory in order to achieve secure borders with the Palestinians and banish the specter of terror and war
haunting both sides.
Problem for the moment is that Kadima remains more of an idea than a full-fledged party. It still has no official membership, no
political organization. Sharon remains the glue that holds it all together. To succeed, Kadima must take shape quickly, and the
aging Sharon must reassure Israeli voters by naming possible younger successors.
Mostly, the Israeli premier must follow his doctor's orders and his friends' advice. President Bush told "Arik" to eat healthier,
exercise and spread out his work load. Or as one Israeli reader wrote to a Jerusalem daily: "Tell the big guy to cut out the jelly
doughnuts!"
Now there's some sound political advice.
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CHESNOFF'S LATEST
The Arrogance of the French
Sean Hannity This book will open your eyes!
Bill O'Reilly Why do the French hate America? Richard Chesnoff has figured it out and informs us with entertaining clarity.
Dennis Miller France sucks, but this book doesn't.
Michael Barone, Co-author, The Almanac of American Politics Americans-and the French-will learn a lot from this book.
Clifford D. May, President, Foundation for the Defense of Democracies Richard Z. Chesnoff insightfully-and entertainingly-explores America's most dysfunctional relationship with America's least reliable ally.
Sales help fund JWR.
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JWR contributor and veteran journalist Richard Z. Chesnoff is a contributing correspondent at US News & World Report, a columnist at the NY Daily News and a senior fellow at the Washington-based Foundation for the Defense of Demoracies. A two-time winner of the Overseas Press Club Award and a recipient of the National Press Club Award, he was formerly executive editor of Newsweek International. His latest book, is "The Arrogance of the French: Why They Can't Stand Us & Why The Feeling Is Mutual". (Click on cover above to purchase. Sales help fund JWR. ) To comment, please click here.
ARCHIVES
© 2005, Richard Z. Chesnoff
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