Lunch with Meretz MK Avshalom Vilan

The Winograd Report

MK Vilan began by highlighting some important points made by the Winograd Commission in its report.  In particular, it pointed out the flaws in the second Lebanon War’s decision making process.  Namely, that Prime Minister Olmert, Defense Minister Peretz, and other leading decision makers did not ask for the input of experts, and that, although many tried to convince Olmert to delay military action, he refused to do so.  MK Vilan pointed out that Israel has no institution that prepares all data for the government – such an institution, with experts suggesting all alternatives, could have led to a better outcome from the war.  

MK Vilan explained that, in his opinion, the biggest mistake Olmert made leading up to the war was his decision to appoint Peretz as Defense Minister.  Olmert did this in order to prevent Peretz from becoming Finance Minister and so that he would have a “lame duck” Defense Minister – one he could go around to deal directly with the Chief of Staff.

So what will happen? First, Olmert can wait for a few weeks, until after the Labor Party elections, and then build a new coalition.  He could create a new government to push the peace process.  However, this may no longer be an option. 

Today, the majority of Israelis are demanding that Olmert resign.  MK Vilan pointed out that such a circumstance will not necessarily lead to early elections.  Indeed, the dilemma for Meretz and other parties is that early elections would likely lead to a right wing government.  For this reason, Meretz wants Kadima to decide on a new leader who will push the peace initiative. 

MK Vilan also mentioned the upcoming rally for Olmert’s resignation, happening two days from this talk.  He said he had called the rally’s coordinator Uzi Dayan to suggest that no political speakers be invited and that the rally be more about democracy than politics.   

Survey on Moving Settlers Back into Israel

MK Vilan presented some results from a recent poll he conducted, focused on developing legislation for compensating settlers who decide to move inside the separation barrier.  Explaining the background for the poll, he spoke of the strange alliance between some left-wing politicians, like himself, and some settlers. 

After construction of the separation barrier began, some settlers began to feel isolated and insecure – they began to talk of moving inside the barrier.  However, they were guaranteed no compensation for doing so, and right wing politicians, who wanted them to stay outside the barrier, refused to help them.  As a result, MK Vilan helped found the One Home Movement, a group dedicated to lobbying for compensation. 

MK Vilan’s poll showed some very interesting results on compensation legislation and on a future peace agreement.  57% of Israelis believe that Knesset should legislate a compensation law now, while 75.9% believe that this legislation should occur at some point.  43.6% believe that the settlements should be evicted as part of a peace agreement.  In addition, 52.7% of Israelis would support a peace agreement with land exchanges, and 41.6% support an agreement in which Jerusalem is shared between Israelis and Palestinians.   

Born in Kibbutz Negba, MK Abu Vilan has been a member of Knesset for Meretz for three consecutive terms. He is a founder of Peace Now and previously served as secretary of Meretz ancestor MaPaM (the United Workers Party), secretary the National Kibbutz Movement, and an emissary of Shomer Hatzair and Kibbutz Artzi in North America. Abu Vilan graduated from Hebrew University in Jerusalem, with degrees in economics and philosophy.