Most politicians are relatively quiet in their willingness to reward supporters with solid jobs after winning an election.
But Prime Minister Ehud Olmert bluntly told Kadima party members at a rally in Jerusalem Sunday night that's why he appointed two of his friends to the cabinet.
“I appointed Chaim Ramon and Ronnie Bar-On to ministerial positions because they are my friends,” announced Olmert, “so that it is known that I do not forget a friend.”
But Olmert also said that both men are effective politicians, another reason he gave them their jobs. “I appointed them because they are my friends,” he reiterated, “but also because they are the best.”
The prime minister had effusive praise for newly-installed Deputy Prime Minister Chaim Ramon, who was convicted last year of sexual misconduct. “Ramon is the most energetic, dynamic and creative politician in Israel,” enthused Olmert. “I would never give him up. I’m thrilled that he’s back.”
Ramon, for his part, showed his gratitude at the microphone. “Here there is a prime minister who is a friend, who didn’t care what the media would say. He does things that are right and unpopular, but there will come a time when the public will see the results of his actions,” he said.
As for Finance Minister Ronnie Bar-On, Olmert said he was tapped “because [the position] needed to be someone who could make unpopular decisions.”
Former Finance Minister Avraham Hirchson, who resigned last year under a cloud of suspicion, was also lauded by his friend Olmert.
Hirschson resigned in the face of an ongoing investigation into allegations that he embezzled funds from a non-profit organization linked to the Histadrut national labor union. Olmert said he has “full confidence” that Hirschson will be proved innocent.