Historians are both amazed and dumbfounded at the incredible saga of the Aztec nation. How was it possible, they ask, that Cortez and a few handfuls of Spanish soldiers could bring the mighty Aztec alliance to its knees?

Like Montezuma, the only action they take is deliberate inaction.



In essence, researchers and archaeologists have learned that Montezuma, the leader of the Aztecs, first mistook the Spaniards for gods. The Aztecs were astonished by these new white men, their weapons, their horses and their huge ships. Montezuma, as we all know, was soon a prisoner in his own palace, a victim of both Cortez, as well as his own superstitious beliefs. By the time they realized the nature and desire of these new "gods," especially the Spaniard's insatiable lust for gold, it was pretty much too little, too late. They had, in essence, given Cortez the keys to their great capital city.


Still, they had one last desperate chance, as the Aztecs, fed up with their own leader's dismal lack of action, chased the marauders out of their territory. Many of the Spaniards, their pockets laden with heavy gold, were unable to run fast enough and were killed. But the Aztecs let Cortez and some of his men escape. They eventually returned with enough men and followers to destroy the Aztec nation forever.


In what may be the closest living example to a modern day Montezuma, we have only to look to Ehud Olmert and the present Israeli government. Their tiny country is surrounded on all sides by openly hostile enemies and yet, all they can talk about and plan is what to give back next. Like Montezuma, the only action they take is deliberate inaction. So too, like the acts of the desperate Montezuma, Olmert keeps hoping to win love and affection from enemies hell-bent on the opposite.


The Aztec people could only look on in disbelief and often contempt, as their "leader" was reduced to utter humiliation. Israel, too, is caught in a very similar situation. The government seems more incapable of action with each passing day, as the Kassam rockets continue to fall. One wonders just what it would take for Olmert to take decisive action.


The death of innocent civilians, including women and children, is clearly not enough to inspire Olmert. The destruction or dismantling of Israeli towns, outposts, even cities, hasn't done it. The attempts to harm Israeli civilians and disrupt normal life continue unabated from Gaza, as well as from the West Bank. Even the sounds of not-so-distant war drums from Iran and Syria hasn't inspired Olmert and company to take any preemptive action. They simply seem to wallow in this phony sense of self-righteousness, as they lead the country in one disastrous retreat after another.


A recent Kassam attack from Gaza on an Israeli army base that injured more than 60 would, in any other country, be considered an act of war. This kind of nonsense would

The world does not see Olmert as a strong leader, a man of peace.

bring about a swift, decisive military action to punish the offenders and make sure it never happens again. The spell of Montezuma seems to be alive and well in the Israeli Knesset.


The Aztecs had the means, at least in the beginning of their initial contacts with the Spaniards, to take control and dictate policy. Israel has it one step better. They continue, at least for now, to hold a military advantage. The problem is, of course, that they don't use it, even in the face of constant, hostile military action from their neighbors.


The world does not see Olmert as a strong leader, a man of peace. Rather, he has been reduced to a man of inaction and no self-pride. These are two qualities one prays to find in your enemies, not in your own leaders.