Some Thoughts on Olmert

So as far as I understand it, the logic behind Sharon's defection from Likud, and the subsequent creation of the Kadima Party in Israel, was the recognition by senior members of Sharon's old party that the Likud approach was no longer possible. In other words, Israel could either be a Jewish democracy, or it could occupy the entire holy land, but it couldn't do both at the same time. Sharon and his cohort chose the "Jewish democracy" route, and though he later went into a coma, his successor Olmert was elected to continue this strategy.

I provide all of that context and history because I want to be clear that I think the entire justification for Olmert's administration was to build on Sharon's disengagement legacy. That's why they defected from Likud, that's why they formed an alliance with Shimon Peres and the Labor Party, and that's why they got elected by the public.

So what happened next? Before the ink was dry on the new government Olmert invaded Lebanon. Following the American style, he did so incompetently, and ended up strengthening Hezbollah. Just recently he re-invaded the Gaza strip, a move that left almost 120 Palestinians dead (many civilians), strengthened Hamas, and did absolutely nothing to stop rocket fire on Israel. But that's not all. There's also the plan to expand settlements around Jerusalem. Like his other moves, this is a public humiliation to his Arab counterparts (the non-crazy ones), and it is certainly the opposite of disengagement.

So can someone explain to me what rationale is left for an Olmert Administration? As far as I can tell he has negated himself, and the only thing left for him to do is delay the next election.