Can the candidate really be more anti-semitic than the current higher echelons of the U.N.? Can he/she really be more of a ??? for Islamofascist petro-dollars? The U.N. will collapse under the weight of its own endemic corruption within the next couple of decades. At the very least the U.S. and its allies will withdraw and establish a new organisation, where being a genuine democracy is a pre-requisite for membership.

this piece is written very poorly. "Clark has a sufficient track record of stirring up anti-Israeli sentiment, capitalizing on Israel’s diplomatic shortcomings, and taking mileage from every political opportunity that is available to her at Israel’s expense." I was looking forward to some salient examples of this. And yet, the whole article mentions only this cross-parliamentary support for a silly motions of little consequence in the real world, and does not even explain what Ms Clark had to do with it. Poor.

Does Michael Steiner recall the suspected mossad agents that led Clark to suspend diplomatic relations with Israel?

So what's new? Another anti-Semite in the UN. Another "I hate Israel" propangadist! Good choice though, from one kind of sheep to another. Why should anything change. Only Israel thinks it has a right to exist. The USA pays lip service to "appease" certain lobbiest groups. To the UK, France, Russia, China and the rest we are just a damn nuisance! Well, quite frankly my dear MS Clark, I really couldn't care a damn!

go ahead, swear her in! so much israel-bashing to do, so little time.

living here in NZ - I 'escape' in 2 months - dont tell me I may get to put up with her instead of Kofi in the UN?!! Now that is NOT FAIR!

The jews have always been a nation that dwells alone. but i believe newzealanders are basically a very humane people and willstand up politically against any attempt to destroy israel by violence.

Yep sounds qualified to me another Anti Jewish Anti Israel Pro Oil Neocon

Much as many of my countrymen would like to be rid of this socialist pagan, we would not like to do it by wishing her on the world. That she is a cunning political animal we do not deny, emminently suited for the big time at the UN. In fact she is presently being grilled in the press, parliament and possibly the High Court for the use of taxpayer money for election expenses. A quality that would be at home in the UN. Keith Locke is a minor minion in the fellow travelling green party, a group that could not get elected to a street sweeping contest, an old time communist that beleives Fidel Castro is a great person. He is foolish. Do not fall into the same trap as them, they confuse NZ with the government. which has a majority of one. Their wishful thinking is not the case. Re the mossad agents, the stupid buggars were caught flat footed by the Police with forged NZ passports. We take a dim view of that. We would take the same line if it was Iranians or Americans. Stop snivelling about anti semitism in what is a criminal matter and get some intelligence into your intelligence operations.

Helen Clark is a survivor by following the trend and not isolating herself. The so called anti iIsrael bias is absurd and even if true would hardly be regarded as important by Clark. The article above is weird, who cares if Clark is anti Israel after all the population of Israel is insignificant mind you the problems Israel causes in contrast is massive.

Dear Kiwi After spending 6 months in your beautiful country,i left with a great sense of admiration for the beauty of the land,and with a great understanding that neither the NZ government NOR the citizens of that country should take credit for its beauty,in fact, i came to the conclusion that it is a miracle the place is so magnificent ,after these considerations: A: At any given time 50-80 % of the citizens are Drunk,or on a 2-3 days (to use your term) "piss binge". B: There are more people on public assistance programs than in the work force. C: The mentality of "cook me some f***-ing eggs" is not the Mauries alone,it got "gentryfied." So before you start telling us about how much trouble we {the Israeli's)cause the world.go out to your towns and villages and make amends with the Mauries you slaughtered and dispossesd over the last 180 yrs. AND... Your PM is an antisemite. You government IS an apeaser government. And the green party...oh well. nuff said. You Kiwis have certainly come a long way from mountain climbers to transvestite members of parliament. Shame

this is about the israili only ,,they are aware who will be the usa presedent //who will be the palastinian governor ...who will ruled china ..who will be the secratery of un ...what is the matter ..aske about your presedent and your keneset ..it is enough ...to us the arab ,,,,who will married my mother i will called him MY UNKLE ..sure it is not the unkle sam

Well your post proves a point but I hasten to add I hope all Israeli's and Jews aren't a carbon copy of yourself. But this carry on of calling anyone who dares to criticize Israel's policies an anti semite is rapidly becoming a farce. For a start most people don't have any idea what an anti semite is and probably you don't too. The indigenous Neww Zealander is a Maori and not the spelling you have got hold of. Everyone in New Zealand accepts that injustices were carried out on the Maori's in the nineteenth century and even now the government is methodically and fairly addressing them. I ask when will Israel start addressing the injustices perpetuated on the Palestinians and more recently the Lebanese. Thats the difference in moral standing.

It is very ignorant to compare the Maoris with the Palestinians. The Palestinians refused to have a state when they were offered one by the UN in 1947. They started a war instead. The Palestinians' goal has always been to kick the Jews out of Israel. Any injustices the Israelis may have done are certainly no greater than the injustices the Palestinians have done to the Jews (and theiir fellow Palestinians). Just remember that before 1967, when Israel captured these disputed territories, the Palestinians carried out regular acts of terror. Exactly what land were they trying to liberate then? A similar argument can be made about the Gaza withdrawal and the continuation of their attacks on Israel lands.

Thank you for your compliments about the beauty of NZ, I think God would be pleased that you pass such judgement on his work. Had you been here 180 years back you would have seen a wilderness inhabited by Maori tribes who were busy fighting and killing each other; settling old scores with the latest foreign weapons. It sounds much like the middle east today. Thankfully the locals embraced christianity and the British rule of law and peace reigned for a while. Some tribes rose up aginst the Crown in response to the dirty dealings imposed on them by the second wave of settlers. They nearly inflicted defeat on the british forces but were defeated. It almost sounds like the West Bank again. Unlike it though in that we have a parliament and a justice sytem that has compensated the tribes many years later for the confiscations. NZ's only Jewish premier at one stage tried to auction off all native lands in a lottery. He was prevented. In spite of all this we continue as a nation today. NZ hosts many thousands of young Israeli travellers every year. Most have just finished their military service. They are generally not well liked because it is hard to like people who are surly, rude, suspicious unfriendly and manipulative. It is fortunate that most people do not judge the Jewish race by these. It is no crime to be young, short of money and travelling on a budget. I have many memories of that myself, but if you spent your time with people, 80% of whom were drunk, you must have stayed at Salvation Army shelters for alcoholics. There are not more people on government assistance than the workforce. We have 4 million citizens,: 1 million are old, or children; the unemployment rate is 3.6% of the remainder.. Most NZers I know are not proud of their parliament having transvestites as members of the government; much like I imagine many Jews find a gay parade in Jerusalem to be an abomination' but it is only in places like Kabul and Tehran that they are killed. Many despise our present government, but, that is our business. Stop squealing about anti-semitism any time someone disagrees with you; or are you right all the time? If you wish to have friends, try being friendly and less obnoxious. You will find people, particularly kiwis ,to be very responsive and welcoming.

Well, now, if you insist on being a purist over the spelling of Maori, which could well have been a typo, perhaps you might wish to slap yourself on the wrist for: "For a start most people don't have any idea what an anti semite is and probably you don't too." - Either, either is the word you were looking for.

David I only read your response because I was in shock by your headline.But having read it i changed my mind.We seem to agree and rightly so. Another member of anti Israel ? Anyhting bu their lot ! I hope she doesn't get the job. I often read what their feelings are toward our country. We have enough with the seceratary general K.Annan and his inept dealings where Israel is concerned. Double standards and selectivity where Israel is concerned,time he is put out to pasture. Hopefully a better candidate will emerge once he is out of office. Quite frankly I think the U.N should be dismantled and replaced with a better institution that consists of members who are *not *presented on the whole by *dictatorships*,*corrupt leaders*,from countries who's atrocious human rights vilolations.are unbounded. What a load of shower they all are. That is not to say they are all bad.Naturally there are many who are decent individuals. Oh I forgot...I didn't mention the rich Arab sheiks who rule the roost there hmmm? Well, you all know they do. I would have preferred a canditate from Australia.Now that would have been commendable. But,cannot recall whether they already have one. Best of luck to Israel...

Helen Clark would not be the worst choice, considering the next Secreatary-General will likely be from the Asia-Pacific region she is probably one of the best. Many of the nations in this region do not even recognise Israel while NZ's criticisms are only superficial. Ultimately it comes down to war, if Israel were invaded I am certain NZ, if needed, would come to your aid.