For all of those waiting to see Ehud Olmert forced out of office, I suggest that you don't hold your breath. Olmert is a product of his times and surroundings. His corruption is not a meteor that exploded here with no warning. It is

The law is meant to reflect - not shape - a national culture.

more like the tip of a very slippery iceberg that reaches into the depths and cannot easily be removed and forgotten.


The corruption from which Israel suffers is based on its culture of "the rule of law." The law should be nothing more than a tool, designed to keep the peace and define the limits of what is permissible and what is prohibited. The law is meant to reflect - not shape - a national culture. It is meant to direct our public lives according to the values dictated by our culture and traditions. In a normal situation, the law does not "rule." What does rule is justice and morality. The law is designed to help society define its unique expression of justice and morality.


In Israel, justice and morality have disappeared from our national lives. In their stead, we have the "rule of law." The "rule of law" is abused to justify every abomination and to make every outrage legitimate. Because, after all, there is nothing worse than opposing "the law."


This is a unique strain of fascism - an odious form of idol worship. The "rule of law" idol was implanted in the brains of the soldiers who carried out the expulsion from Gush Katif. Their natural Jewish morals were neutralized by "the rule of law", held in much higher esteem than any other values (obeying G-d's commandments, for example).


And who is the prime minister of the state of "the rule of law"? A seasoned lawyer, of course. A small-time criminal acts against the law; an average criminal evades the law; while a big-time criminal commits his crime by means of the law. Our current prime minister is an average criminal. He just may manage to prove that he didn't break the law, after all.


What if Olmert steps down nevertheless? Who is the right candidate to replace him? Is there anybody in the Kadima party that is not corrupt? Tzipi Livni?

I do not know of any money that Livni stole. But she is guilty of a much more serious robbery.



Tzipi Livni is a member of the big-time criminal party. In other words, she is a member of the party that commits its crimes by means of the law. I do not know of any money that Livni stole. But she is guilty of a much more serious robbery.


Livni was elected by the public to serve as a Knesset member in the Likud party and to expedite its policies. But to the cheers of the media, which took an active part in the vote heist arranged by Ariel Sharon, Livni took the electoral check that she had received from the voters and - instead of depositing it in the account to which she was sent - deposited it in the account of a different party.


This successful political heist - more corrupt than a financial heist - has positioned Livni as the prime ministerial hopeful. So please don't tell me that Livni is not corrupt. She may not have "broken the law," but from an ethical standpoint her actions are reprehensible.


Be that as it may, Livni is not the problem. I do not think that she understands that she is corrupt. Why should she? The Israeli public does not understand, either.