Do you think Israel could stand one honest man in the Prime Minister's Office? Don't you think that the Israeli people, Right and Left, deserve a leader who has a reputation for being honest with his people? One who has not been identified as an inveterate liar, or accused of accepting illegal foreign monies, a man who does not believe in secret connections with foreign interests. In brief, one honest man.
Some may recall that US President Harry Truman was viewed by most as "one honest man". He really never wanted the job, which made him an even better president. So, let's get to it.
There is one man you all know who comes with a great deal of experience in government and no baggage of tricky deals. His name is Uzi Landau, a Member of Knesset. I don't think he wants the job of prime minister, but I strongly believe that he'd be darn good at it. At least, he would give straight answers to your questions, which, as I recall, never seemed to be the habit of the last five prime ministers.
MK Landau has the credentials for the job, well beyond present and would-be candidates for the job. He is calm, unflappable, knows every job in the Knesset and Cabinet. Strangely, he is trusted by both the Left and the Right. If there were a political contest, no doubt, there would be mud thrown, but none would stick to MK Landau. He lives a quiet life with his family. He is a steady man who does not exhibit the typical hunger for power.
Normally, the expression "honest politician" is considered an oxymoron, but not when describing Landau. When he speaks, it is with authority and no fumbling, because he knows what he is talking about. MK Landau is known to all as a patriot, but makes no big show of it. He quietly goes about doing his job with competence - which is a lot, given the usual scramble for power, perks and special accommodations by most politicians.
Very importantly, MK Landau listens if someone brings him genuine advice. He wants solutions to problems, not nonsense.
Israel will soon have need of a thinking, honest prime minister. Given the trouble Israel has with the world's nations, he had better be a respected, well-spoken (in English) leader, who does not bend under pressure from good friends nor from dedicated enemies.
Israel needs a Truman-like "honest man" as much as a drowning man needs a life preserver. Some nations just don't get lucky until the right man rises to power, even when he doesn't seek that power.
So, where do we go from here? Will a fast talker with a golden tongue take the office for a few years? Will another Ehud Barak or Shimon Peres manage to rise up from the ashes? Will Americans choose the next prime minister - as happened on a few occasions?
You can ask Uzi Landau, but he will probably turn you all down - at least the first or second time. But if his party really wants a candidate who can run as the "one honest man", I think the public is ready.
In the end, because Uzi Landau is a true patriot, he will accept a job that brings no pleasure, no gratitude, and with a great deal of pain and pressure. I can think of no other man who can handle the challenges of this most crucial job in Israel's history.
Ask Uzi Landau. And don't take "no" for an answer.
Some may recall that US President Harry Truman was viewed by most as "one honest man". He really never wanted the job, which made him an even better president. So, let's get to it.
There is one man you all know who comes with a great deal of experience in government and no baggage of tricky deals. His name is Uzi Landau, a Member of Knesset. I don't think he wants the job of prime minister, but I strongly believe that he'd be darn good at it. At least, he would give straight answers to your questions, which, as I recall, never seemed to be the habit of the last five prime ministers.
MK Landau has the credentials for the job, well beyond present and would-be candidates for the job. He is calm, unflappable, knows every job in the Knesset and Cabinet. Strangely, he is trusted by both the Left and the Right. If there were a political contest, no doubt, there would be mud thrown, but none would stick to MK Landau. He lives a quiet life with his family. He is a steady man who does not exhibit the typical hunger for power.
Normally, the expression "honest politician" is considered an oxymoron, but not when describing Landau. When he speaks, it is with authority and no fumbling, because he knows what he is talking about. MK Landau is known to all as a patriot, but makes no big show of it. He quietly goes about doing his job with competence - which is a lot, given the usual scramble for power, perks and special accommodations by most politicians.
Very importantly, MK Landau listens if someone brings him genuine advice. He wants solutions to problems, not nonsense.
Israel will soon have need of a thinking, honest prime minister. Given the trouble Israel has with the world's nations, he had better be a respected, well-spoken (in English) leader, who does not bend under pressure from good friends nor from dedicated enemies.
Israel needs a Truman-like "honest man" as much as a drowning man needs a life preserver. Some nations just don't get lucky until the right man rises to power, even when he doesn't seek that power.
So, where do we go from here? Will a fast talker with a golden tongue take the office for a few years? Will another Ehud Barak or Shimon Peres manage to rise up from the ashes? Will Americans choose the next prime minister - as happened on a few occasions?
You can ask Uzi Landau, but he will probably turn you all down - at least the first or second time. But if his party really wants a candidate who can run as the "one honest man", I think the public is ready.
In the end, because Uzi Landau is a true patriot, he will accept a job that brings no pleasure, no gratitude, and with a great deal of pain and pressure. I can think of no other man who can handle the challenges of this most crucial job in Israel's history.
Ask Uzi Landau. And don't take "no" for an answer.