Ehud Barak has shown just what military training can mean for a politician. If the military man’s motto is divide and conquer, it has certainly been Barak’s motto in the political battlefield.
First, he demolished former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by trouncing him in a landslide.
Next, he took longer than anyone had expected to form a government, but he managed to vanquish his main opposition in doing so.
Barak’s government includes 75 seats in the 120-member Knesset, leaving Likud, the former ruling party, with a minority that will be virtually inaudible.
Barak’s Labor Party reportedly is unhappy he has given short shrift to long-term stalwarts such as Shimon Peres, Yossi Beilin and Haim Ramon by putting them in some of the more insignificant ministries. But none of those men has demonstrated the unswerving loyalty Barak requires from those closest to him. Barak chose instead to reward those who stood by him in the political wars inside and outside his party.
But as good a military man as Barak is, he has been wounded in his latest battles. He ignored his left flank and was surprised when Avraham Burg solidly beat Shalom Simhon, whom Barak wanted as Knesset Speaker.
Despite that, Barak still wins the medal of honor for assembling one of the strongest coalitions in Israel’s recent history.
Although the Israeli press has criticized some of his cabinet ministers for being weak, their weakness is Barak’s strength. It gives Barak more say over the day-to-day workings of various ministries. For instance, a weak foreign minister such as David Levy, who owes his job to Barak, will happily stand aside and allow Barak to personally conduct foreign affairs.
What Barak has done, unlike any prime minister before him, is take over the reigns of Israeli government: As prime minister, he will govern more like an American president.
Prime Minister Barak has become Israel’s commander in chief.
And we join with our Israeli friends and relatives in chanting hail to the chief and wishing him every success in his battle for peace in the Middle East.