|
Israel Needs a President
by Michael Boyden
- Given the state of Israeli politics and the very low opinion in which some of our nation's leaders are currently held by the public at large, the last thing we need right now is a prime minister who is also president.
- While the American model has much to recommend it, the United States has a constitution that protects civil liberties in a way that Israel can only dream of.
- Given that fact, it would be inadvisable to grant even more power to our prime ministers than they already exercise.
- And, anyhow, our prime ministers don't seem to last for more than a couple of years. Do we really want a new president with that level of frequency?
- What Israel needs - and I think most Israelis feel this way - is a president who can be respected by all, a person who will unite ranks rather than divide them, a person untainted by the rough and tumble of Israeli politics. (Jerusalem Post)
|
Have Pity - Abolish the Presidency
by Uri Dan
- The honor, standing and prestige of the State of Israel is being trampled underfoot in a manner unprecedented since the establishment of the state.
- After a legal means has been found to close the president's rape case, we need to set about closing down the President's Residence. It is one of many wasteful official state facilities.
- The status of the presidency has deteriorated steadily since its modest, dignified days of 30 to 50 years ago. We can still recall the extravagant trips taken by Chaim Herzog as well as Ezer Weizman's financial escapades.
- The millions of shekels that go each year into the operation of the doll house known as the President's Residence is a shameful waste that could be used benefit the educational or welfare systems.
- The entire representative institution known as the president and his overinflated staff is an experiment that failed. (Jerusalem Post)
|