Crisis? What crisis?

January 12, 2006 - 2:55 PM by David Brinn

A friend wrote this, and it sounds right:

‘I’m not so sure that Israelis aren’t anxious about the current situation post-Ariel Sharon.

The Israelis have a wonderful capacity to live in the present, and not to think too much about the future, hence life goes on as usual. It’s a lesson they’ve learned painfully after so many terror attacks. I also think Israelis actually thrive on this kind of uncertainty. It’s that last minute, crisis type mentality where they string together a solution with a bit of old string and a bicycle tire – that’s what makes them so successful in high-tech. I’ve never known people who are so good at handling last minutes crises.

But I also know that many people are concerned about what will happen next. I know Kadima is doing well in the polls, partly because it is answering a real political need in the country, but many people are worried that Olmert does not have what it takes to push Sharon’s policies of withdrawal any further.

Many Labor supporters were preparing themselves fearfully to vote for Sharon because they thought he would continue withdrawals from the West Bank, and that he was the only politician who would have the strength and willpower to do it. They don’t have the same faith in Olmert. In fact, many feel at a complete loss as to who to vote for now.

I also think that we are in a period of grace. Nobody is going to start slandering each other when Sharon is in the hospital and nothing is clear. Afterwards, however, things will probably get very nasty and the jostling for position will begin. Actually it’s probably already seriously underway, but people are keeping it hidden from the press.

Israel isn’t in crisis though. It’s been in a lot of worse situations than this – including when Rabin was killed.

Anyway, the sales are on. Who can be in crisis when there’s so many bargains to be had!’

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