OLMERT'S TROUBLES COULD BE OURS

Thanks a bunch, Ehud.

You have created the potential for a new backlash against Jews throughout the world. It is a very real possibility in Europe and Middle East countries, and American Jews are vulnerable.

Ehud Olmert, a former prime minister of Israel, was formally indicted Sunday, Aug. 30, for accepting $600,000 in cash from a Long Island businessman; fraudulently billing multiple entities while in government; and promoting the the interests of a former law partner’s clients, according to The New York Times.

Practically speaking, severe repercussions in the United States are unlikely even if Olmert is found guilty. However, the possibility is always there, and Olmert’s case involves more significant inferences.

It is bad enough that American Jews must contend with Bernard Madoff, who demolished family fortunes, and a Brooklynite who stands accused of trafficking in human organs.

Olmert’s situation is more serious. He was prime minister of a young, vulnerable nation heavily dependent on the United States for money, arms and diplomatic support. He is the first Israeli prime minister ever to have been indicted on corruption charges, though some of his predecessors have come close. A conviction will mean that he cheated his own country.

Any American citizen has a right to question if Olmert, while he was at it, cheated the United States. Did he misuse American funds? Did he steer the president and Congress in the wrong direction in relations with other Arab nations? Did he employ military weapons for aggressive purposes?

Israel is accused of transgressions from different corners. Some allegations were true and others were flat-out lies.

Olmert probably never needed to trick the previous administration into anything. President Bush’s crowd was staunchly pro-Israel, and initially it backed right-wing policies. Olmert’s mismanagement of the 2006 war could well have been based on reckless advice from the Bush administration. After Hezbollah committed acts of war at the Israel/Lebanon border, the Israeli military mainly responded by hammering Lebanon with excessive air strikes while delaying ground troop action to the best advantage.

Olmert united all ideological factions in Israel toward the same goal: kicking him out of office. He could not quell a crisis adequately, which is the most fundamental skill required of an Israeli leader. He was also criticized for the unnecessary deaths of civilians and his government’s failure to maintain the military for a state of war.

Olmert’s departure as prime minister was welcomed by Israelis and their supporters for any number of reasons, though the corruption allegations finally drove him out. Because Olmert was indicted, what are outsiders to think? American taxpayers could finally decide it is time to cease sending aid to Israel. That would be understandable, and in a more volatile environment it should be expected.

As one non-Jewish friend told me, most Americans will view Olmert as another corrupt politician whose acts do not reflect on the Israeli people. In fact, people probably agree that Israel makes serious mistakes from time to time, but it is generally in the right and deserves America’s help.

That would be a valid assessment. I find that, overall, Americans have become more fair and reasonable in their judgment of situations. They are more apt to base conclusions on what individuals do, not on their race, religion or nationality. An American Jew won the popular election for vice president in 2000 and we now have an African-American president. Even Europeans who despised Bush knew better than to lump all Americans with him.

Still, the prospect for a backlash should never be underestimated. Too bad that Olmert never considered that possibility.