27.3.06

Israeli elections-Kabbalist: Olmert will win

Leading Kabbalist says acting PM to encounter difficulties in face of stronger rightist bloc
Ilan Marciano

The Milkman has spoken: Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will win the upcoming elections, but encounter difficulties in the face of a stronger right-wing bloc, leading Kabbalist Rabbi Haim Cohen, known as "The Milkman," told Ynet in a rare interview.
"Kadima is moving up, that's true. But at the same time, the religious right side is also moving up, and this will create a real problem for Olmert," the rabbi said. "The national-religious camp will gain strength in the elections, and Olmert will find it difficult to govern, particularly because he wishes to form a government without the ultra-Orthodox and the Right. It won't be that easy for him."
"According to spiritual vision he (Olmert) will be the next Prime Minister. We all hope that he will take care of the people of Israel, and that's what's important. A Prime Minister is like a king and we all expect a king to do good for his people."
Making political predictions has become a common phenomenon among new-age Kabbalists.
Kabbalist Rabbi Nir Ben Artzi, for example, predicted a year ago that ailing Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's government will be "the last government" and that no new leader of Sharon's stature will follow.
"No other leader of Sharon's stature emerge until the appearance of the savior – the Messiah," the rabbi said, predicting the in the meantime Israel would be ruled by national unity governments or similar arrangements.
Meanwhile, leading Kabbalist Rabbi David Batzri says he sees a connection between the solar eclipse expected a day after the elections and the vote.
"The solar eclipse symbolizes the beginning of the rise of the Messiah King. The next prime minister, no matter who he is, if he wants to listen to Kabbalists' advice, must not form a government that will give back land or seek peace negotiations," he said.
Turning his attention to other Middle Eastern countries, the rabbi said: "Egypt will suffer a powerful blow, from within, from Muslim radicals, and the whole peace process will be in great danger. We must not return land for peace. It's no longer relevant in our time."
http://www.ynetnews.com