Meanwhile, back in Israel...

The Likud and the Jewish Agenda By Moshe Feiglin

It was always just under the surface, but now it is unmistakable. Israeli society divides into two: Israelis and Jews. There are those who see themselves first as Jews and only then as Israelis. And there are others who see themselves first as Israelis and only after that as Jews. When Sharon left the Likud, this divide became obvious and can no longer be ignored. From the Likud and to the right are the Jews. From Sharon's party and to the Left are the Israelis. Public opinion on all pertinent issues in Israeli life -- peace, security, economy, education, society and foreign relations -- are essentially formed by the question: Who are we first? Israelis or Jews?


NO, No, no to terror by Micah D. Halpern

The West and Israel must hold the PA to an absolute test on terror. No compromises can be accepted. And when the Palestinians fail, the world will know why.


Israel - Why Worry About Iran's Bomb? by Jack Engelhard

On Sharon's watch, more than one thousand, three hundred Israelis have been murdered by Arab terrorists, more than ten thousand have been injured and maimed, and Sharon is worried about bombs from Iran? Why bother? The same bombing, in different forms, has been going on for the past five years, and just because it wasn't nuclear, that does not make it less lethal, especially to the dead and to those who still mourn them.

David Hatuel lost his pregnant wife and four beautiful daughters as "sacrifices for peace." Should he worry about Iran's bomb? No. He's already given.

There are two kinds of terrorism; the quick and the slow. We had the quick, 9/11, and Israel has the slow, terror that comes in doses. But there is no difference between these two, except that we awoke (more or less) and Israel is asleep, lulled by deadly attacks that are measured out, in drips and drabs, to avoid nationwide panic and mobilization.



The Makings of a Banana Republic by Isi Leibler

It is surely somewhat unprecedented for a democratic leader to seek to destroy the governing party in order to dispense with the irritation of being required to obtain approval from his colleagues before embarking on new policies.

(Thanks to Israelinsider for the links above.)