ANITA SUSAN GROSSMAN
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that's not quite happiness; we also have a term "osher," which is
usually used as the equivalent of the English "happiness," but it
means something slightly different.
It
means a certain feedback, the
positive confirmation from your fellow person or from above, imply–
ing a momentary pang of joy, rather than the idea of getting into
some promised land and then leaning back and enjoying it for the
rest of eternity . That's why I'm not entirely at peace with the term
"happiness ."
ASG:
Getting back to Israel- are you engaged in any particular
political activities there?
AO:
Not at the moment, of course. I'm kind of loosely committed to
the Peace Now movement. I don't have any official role within this
movement, or any official role, period. I've never been a member of
any secretariat, central committee, bureau, or whatever. But I guess
sooner rather than later I'll feel that my blood is boiling, and the mo–
ment my blood boils I make a political statement , write an article,
make an appearance.
ASG:
Have you ever considered running for political office?
AO:
I have been approached very many times by political groups, by
friends - perhaps enemies - to do that, but I realized at a fairly early
point in my life that nobody would write my stories for me, whereas
Israel is full of potential prime ministers, presidents, generals, or
prophets, so I think I'd be better off if I didn't run for office. The
temptation has always been hovering in the air and the pressure has
been put on me on and off for years, but I don't think I should do
that. I am unable to say "no comment" to anything; consequently, I
am disqualified as a politician.
ASG:
How popular is your political position in Israel?
AO:
That's one of the hardest questions . I may be exceedingly
popular for some opinions, and not so popular for others . Of course
it's common knowledge that I am an eminent dove in Israel, but I do
have opinions about half a dozen other questions which mayor may
not be more acceptable. But as you know, the political system in
Israel makes it immensely difficult actually to measure how public
opinion divides over the hawkish/dovish rift because we have seven–
teen or eighteen political parties, which somehow blurs the entire
picture . I don't know how many people would follow me if I raised
the flag, if that is your question.
ASG:
What are Peace Now's objectives now that Israel has with–
drawn from Lebanon?
AO:
The main issue is heavily populated Palestinian zones in the
