From Olmert to Netanyahu: Heaven and Earth
An opinion column comparing the governmental management style of former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, as reflected in his autobiographical book about the Syrian reactor strike, with that of Benjamin Netanyahu. The author argues that while Olmert presented a model of orderly, measured decision-making based on staff work, Netanyahu led a culture of toxic centralization, decision-making in narrow circles, and improvisation, which manifested in the October 7 failure and other affairs.
An opinion column by Avi Kalo comparing the governmental management style of former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, as described in his new autobiographical book "Arizona All of Us" about the 2007 Syrian reactor strike, with that of Benjamin Netanyahu. The author praises Olmert for exemplary management of the interplay between the leader and intelligence, encouraging disagreements and minority opinions, and maintaining a complex and courageous relationship with US President George W. Bush. In contrast, he sharply criticizes Netanyahu, accusing him of leading a culture of toxic centralization, decision-making in narrow and sporadic circles, and extraneous considerations. The author argues that this management culture was fully exposed in the October 7 failure and is also prominent in the submarine affair and the war in Iran. He raises initial questions about the functioning of Netanyahu, Shin Bet, Mossad, and the Ministry of Transportation regarding the attempt to crush the "Fly Dubai" plane. The article concludes with a call to return to an orderly model of strategy formulation, measured decision-making, and attention to professional echelons, instead of centralization, personality cult, and improvisation.