A Watershed Moment?
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| Snow in Jerusalem, Jan. 30, 2008 | |
by Judy Lash Balint
January 30, 2008
As predicted, heavy, slushy, wet snow is falling on Israel’s high ground today. Jerusalem’s schools are closed; courts canceled sessions; buses are running on main streets only and Mayor Uri Lupolianski has invited everyone to a snowman contest in one of the city’s main parks this afternoon.
But the main event of the day refuses to be overshadowed by the blowing snow. At precisely 6 p.m, a summary of the long-awaited final report of the Winograd Commission will be read. The press has already been informed that none of the commission members will answer questions, so at 6:20 p.m. when the reading concludes and the 500 page report is distributed the pundits will be out in full force.
The latest telephone surveys show that the majority of Israelis feel that Prime Minister Olmert has not implemented the lessons of the Second Lebanon War: [No 58%; More or less 8%; Yes 19%; Other answers; 15%]
( According to the Maagar Mohot Survey Institute presented on Israel Television Channel 10, January 29, 2008)
When the MM Survey asked if Olmert should resign if the Commission report is “severe.’ 19% said no: 73% said Yes: Other replies: 8%.
So, along with the melting snow that promises to derail day-to-day life over the next couple of days, a more consequential watershed moment may be at hand with the release of the Winograd report.
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