Prime Minister Ehud Olmert came out swinging in a scathing speech attacking the media and investigators Thursday night at a meeting of Kadima party leaders. the Kadima party convention.
In his address, Olmert addressed polls showing that his popularity rating is at an all-time low, saying he is aware of the dismal numbers. The Prime Minister deflected the blame for his poor ratings on to the media and his political foes for attacking him with “a shower of venom.” He added that he could be popular if he were willing to compromise on his principles, but he prefers to do the right thing.
“I’m not a popular prime minister. The polls show this and the media makes sure to remind the public that I’m unpopular,” he said. “Even politicians in my own party make sure to bring this up.”
Olmert told Kadima officials that he did not order a more aggressive war against Hizbullah last summer because it could have caused many more deaths of Israeli soldiers. More than 115 troops died in the five-week war while millions of northern residents lived for five weeks in bomb shelters under the threat of missile attacks or fled their homes altogether.
He also said that he directed the IDF to conduct a ground offensive in the last days of the war in order to ensure what he termed diplomatic gains. Thirty-three soldiers died in the offensive.
Olmert also took responsibility for the struggle against Iran’s rapidly developing nuclear capabilities, Israel’s public relations problems in the international arena and the need to secure the safe return of the three IDF soldiers who were abducted by terrorists last summer.
Soldiers Gilad Shalit, Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev remain in enemy hands despite Olmert’s promise not to agree to a ceasefire with Lebanon until all three were brought home safely.
Although the Hamas terrorists who kidnapped Shalit continue to flirt with Israeli and Arab negotiators about the conditions for his release, his whereabouts and condition are still unknown, other than a letter supposedly written by the soldier months ago.
Attempts to negotiate with the Hizbullah guerrillas who snatched Goldwasser and Regev in an attack that ignited the second Lebanon War in July have been even less fruitful.
International Red Cross officials who are tasked with determining the condition and welfare of international captives have not been allowed by either terrorist organization to visit or contact the hostages in any way. There has been no sign of life from Goldwasser and Regev since they were kidnapped. However, Israel has allowed Red Cross officials to visit three Hizbullah terrorists who were captured by the IDF.
The struggle against Iran’s rapidly progressing nuclear military capability, both on the international scene and on less public levels, was another issue Olmert said he was working on. He also took responsibility for improving Israel’s image in the international community.
Olmert attacked the investigations into his alleged criminal behavior, saying the charges against him were invented by publicity hounds and have no truth behind them.
He finished his speech by stressing his intention to stay in power. The voters picked him to lead the country for four years, Olmert said, and to step down earlier would be to betray their trust.
Ezra HaLevi contributed to this report.