Israel, Jerusalem /corr. Trend R.Mammadov / "The fact that the Prime Minister of Israel, Ehud Olmert, personally stated that doctors found cancer of the prostate is a new political choice testifying the change in the Israeli government towards the disease," said Raanan Gissin, political adviser to the former Head of Israeli Government, Ariel Sharon.
Gissin said in his interview with Trend on 31 October that after Ariel Sharon fell into a coma, discussions started in Israeli society that a high-ranking politician should inform his citizens of his health problems. "Two days ago, as on 18 December 2005 when the first unexpected stroke happened to Ariel Sharon, anxiety and uncertainty covered the whole country," Gissin said.
In addition, Sharon tried to hide the real condition of his health which led to the spread of rumors and disputes over his treatment. However, Olmert gave preference to absolute transparency. Gissin stated that not only Sharon, but also the Leader of 'Likud', Itskhak Shamir, who had cancer like Olmert, preferred to stay silent about their disease. The former Prime Minister of Israel, Begin, went to the Parliamentary elections after an infarction.
Olmert became the first Middle Eastern politician who publicly disclosed his health problems. It is possible to remember the President of Egypt, Hosni Mubarek, whose health became topic of rumors for many years. However, information was not given about the health of the patriarchy of Egypt by November 2003 when it was impossible to hide it any more. According to the Israeli expert, even if Olmert has a legal wish to avoid speculation and dual maneuvers at the moment when his government begin talks with Palestine and prepare to participate in the conference in Annapolis, according to the doctor, the Prime Minister may attend the conference. According to Gissin, Olmert's disease can not affect the peaceful Middle East conference in Annapolis. "I think that Olmert's prostate cancer can not affect his preparation or compromise to Mahmud Abbas, or divide Jerusalem," the politician said.