A recent edition of the international Jerusalem Post
(available at
www.jpost.com)
pointed out that the Israelis expect a very difficult American-style
campaign for prime minister. It seems that American experts are being
called to help certain candidates, and that could have a damaging effect
on that democracy. While we have been able to .improve the world. by
supplying Coca Cola and Levi's jeans, I'm not sure our politics are
something we really need to be exporting.
Experts Expect
Dirtiest Election Campaign Yet
By Naomi Simons
The upcoming election campaign is likely to be the most vicious ever
seen in Israel, thanks to the influence of imported U.S. "spin-doctors"
and the rise of American-style methods, according to local media
consultants.
Dr. Yariv Ben-Eliezer, dean of the School of Communications at Tel Aviv
University and a top media consultant, predicts that the main contenders
will attack each other's careers and private lives, and that the debate
could descend into a battle of personal slurs. "It is going to be very
personal and very bloody. It is going to be like a fistfight," he said.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.s use of U.S. media specialist Arthur
Finkelstein in the last election helped transform him into what
Ben-Eliezer considers to be the ultimate "media-man." Now Labor leader
Ehud Barak has enlisted the services of James Carville and Stanley
Greenberg, who helped mastermind Bill Clinton's rise.
"The campaigns will be much grislier and more personal because of
the experts brought from Europe and America," agrees Menachem Sheizaf,
who runs his own media consultancy firm.
Ben-Eliezer, who has advised Tsomet and the Histradut on their media
campaigns, says Netanyahu's opponents will probably accuse him of being
a "media-gimmick," a liar, of having a weak personality and no plan
except the plan to survive. Barak's enemies will say that he is vague
about his policies, and will undoubtedly dig up the old nickname "Ehud
Barach" (Ehud ran away), which refers to Barak's suspected involvement
in the Tze'elim B affair, of which he was cleared.
Netanyahu's camp will be especially eager to attack Amnon Lipkin-Shahak,
after he officially announces his candidacy for the premiership,
according to Ben-Eliezer. He also predicts that the media will make a
meal of any dirt that Shahak's opponents can dig up about his private
life.
"Shahak was immune [to media criticism] while chief of staff because the
army is a 'sacred cow,' but there is no immunity in politics," he said.

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Zola's Travel and Speaking Itinerary
- March 6-7
-
Hereford Church of the Nazarene
1710 La Plata Drive
Hereford, TX 79045
Pastor: Rev. Ted Taylor
(806) 364-8303
- March 11-14
-
1999 International Prophecy Conference
Sponsored by: God's News Behind The News
Tampa Convention Center
333 S. Franklin Street
Tampa, FL 33629
Rev. Joe Van Koevering
(727) 347-2463
- April 2
-
Bethany First Church of the Nazarene
6789 N.W. 39th Expy.
Bethany, OK 73008
Rev. Doug Forsberg
- April 4
-
Lakeland Baptist Church
397 S. Stemmons Fwy.
Lewisville, TX 75067
Rev. Thom Wilder
(972) 436-4561
- April 7-8
-
Thy Kingdom Come Prophecy Conference
7301 East 14th Street
Tulsa, OK 74112-6700
Rev. Charles L. Pack
(918) 835-6978
- April 13-27
-
Grand Tour
- April 13-20
-
Greece Only
- April 18-28
-
Deluxe Tour Only

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