That was to be the opening paragraph of tomorrow's papers. It was probably already typset and just awaiting the official imprimatur of the Knesset before heading off to the presses.
But alas, Shimon Peres is, in the words of one Israeli columnist, "the greatest Prime Minister never elected." Indeed, Peres never won a vote in his life.
So, perhaps it is fitting that Peres, who has been implicated in every major Israeli scandal over the past 20 years, from Irangate, to Pollard, to the Rabin assassination, should lose yet again.
This afternoon, Moshe Katzav became Israel's eight President. For the first time, a member of a party other than Labour has won the Presidency. For the first time, a man of sfardi origin has won the Presidency. For the first time a religious Jew has won the Presidency.
Ezer Weizman brought shame and controversy to the office of President. He was never far from a microphone when a major issue was being discussed, and always raised the hackles of the government by his pronunciations. He has been accused of accepting gifts which could be construed as bribes. He was threatened with impeachment, but resigned his position instead.
Today, Israel's Members of Knesset had the choice to elect someone who has been even more controversial, who would succeed even more in dividing the population of Israel, and who would not be able to repair the office of President, or to elect someone who would represent all that is fair in Israeli politics, who would serve to increase the pride and affinity of many minority groups in Israel, and who is better able to represent this nation as a whole to the rest of the world.
Thankfully, Israel's elected representatives made the sane choice and chose Moshe Katzav. Katzav is the man who can, and likely will, begin the process of healing the rifts and gashes that currently rend Israeli society. He is the person who can re-inject pride into the notion of being Israeli. He is the light from which the sfardi minority and the religious in Israel can light their own personal candles. He is the man who can fulfill the sfardi slogan "Returning the crown to its glory", and not only for the sfardi community, but for the nation as a whole.
It is a fitting end to the career of Shimon Peres, controversial, divisive, and besmirched as his name has become. One more loss to end his illustrious career. One more loss for Israel's good luck.Copyright 2000. Yehuda Poch is a writer living in Israel. Reproduction in electronic or print format by permission only.
