I did publicly advocate the inclusion of the orthodox Shas party in the government. After the elections, when the composition of the new Knesset became clear, I proposed in this column to invite Shas into the government coalition nearly at any price. I knew that without Shas it would be impossible to achieve peace - not with the Palestinians, neither with the Syrians. I believed that Ehud Barak really wants peace, and hoped that he has got what it takes to do the job. My intentions were quite simple.
Peace is much more urgent, much more important, than the orthodox scandals.
Now I perceive that the power-drunk orthodox leadership is making mistakes that will eventually bring about its downfall. Because a year has passed, the bribe has been paid tenfold, and peace is further away than before. The responsibility lies squarely on the shoulders of Barak. But Barak is, at least partly, influenced by the orthodox betrayal. Barak is no gambler.