President Einstein? (Of Israel)

[Faeelin]

In OTL, Einstein was offered the presidency of Israel in 1952, and while he did consider it, he ultimately rejected it.

So, WI he decided to become the president?

 

[Forum Lurker]

Just about nothing. Moshe Sharret, the man who held the office for that period of time, isn't noted for much as far as I'm aware; the position being purely symbolic, Einstein wouldn't make any major difference that I can see.

 

[Bulldawg85]

Seem

I seem to remember a short story, maybe in the Alternate Tyrants collection, where he became President and then gave them the bomb. Then he realized what he had done and asked one his protection detail to kill him.

 

[David S Poepoe]

Probably a fitting retirement for a fellow who pretty much had one great idea and milked that fame for much of the 20th century. He certainly didn't deserve Time Magazine's accolade of the Man of the 20th Century - his impact was minimal compared to the man that had the greatest impact, Adolf Hitler. But one can't go around admitting that. Its been mentioned that Einstein would have been out of the headlines by yesterday in today's scientific community. One can't rest on their laurels.

 

[jolo]

Einstein was a very charismatic figure, the prototype of the "good" scientist. He was hated by right-wingers for his liberal views, even among jews. I believe he would have given Israel a different direction, and not necessarily a bad one. His pacifism would not have gone very far, though.

An even bigger influence he might have had on the Arabs: Being the head of Israel (at least ceremoniously) might have made it impossible for an Arab to voice opinions similar to his. So the Arab world might be even more hostile towards liberal believes, democracy, scientists, jews, and so on, which might lead to more fundamentalism at an earlier time there.

 

[zoomar]

Probably a fitting retirement for a fellow who pretty much had one great idea and milked that fame for much of the 20th century. He certainly didn't deserve Time Magazine's accolade of the Man of the 20th Century - his impact was minimal compared to the man that had the greatest impact, Adolf Hitler. But one can't go around admitting that. Its been mentioned that Einstein would have been out of the headlines by yesterday in today's scientific community. One can't rest on their laurels.

Wow, aren't we being catty. Get up on the wrong side of the bed, did we?

But, minus the snideness, I basically agree. The founders of modern Israel reflected the very liberal tradition of post-religious, socialist zionism. Eisnstein would have been a great figurehead for Israel. He would not have "given them the bomb" as there were plenty of other people capable of doing that. Israel has become the much more conservative, aggresive, and fundamentalist society it is today in reaction to events in the world around it. I don't think this would have changed unless the Arabs had accepted the 1948 partition and Israeli declaration of independence.

 

[BurningWickerman]

Or alternatively Einstein gives the arabs the bomb in exchange for Isreals right to exist.

The arabs become a power to be reckoned with and grow rich using their improved bargaining position in oil.

Isreals fundementalist/anti-arab population goes down thanks to a combination of peace and Einsteins liberal drug policies. Palestinian citizens are given reperations between the 50's and 60's.

The arab world becomes a peaceful first-world paradise thanks to a mixture nuclear weapons, oil and weed.

 

[Adamanteus]

I find it hard to believe that a nice guy like Einstein would survive for long in the cut-throat politics of that region of the world. I believe there was political scandal in Israel at the time, and while I doubt it would've affected his office directly, as he would've had no hand in it, he would've been completely out of his element to handle it. Also, let me also point out that he died in 1955, and so his whole term of office would've been only 2 years, which isn't long enough to achieve much.

 

[luakel]

Or alternatively Einstein gives the arabs the bomb in exchange for Isreals right to exist.

Um... If the Arabs had the bomb, they'd immediately break that deal and would probably attack Israel, or at least threaten Israel with it.
Plus, I don't think it was possible for Einstein to "give" anyone the bomb. It's not like he knew how to make it or anything.