A great leader of our times

The Israeli propensity to call absolutely everyone, from their own children to complete strangers to world leaders by their first names - and even by dimunutive's like "Angie" is starting to really grate on me. Was this a formal piece of journalistic writing or a quaintly effusive letter to an old friend? Because we aren't just one big happy family the world over and not everyone wants complete strangers to refer to them by nicknames or diminutives, which they might regard as inapproriate or disrespectfully chummy. Not every country is chaotically informal Israel, and not every Israeli comes from the same birkenstock diplomacy loving country. A modicum of decorum and mutual respect is necessary for society to function. And its not a Jewish vs. Goyishe thing. The Talmud is clearly concerned about people's dignity and praises one of the Rabbis for never referring to someone by a nickname or diminutive. Not everyone wants to be reduced to a warm, fuzzy children's name that allows them to be treated lightly, or infers those around them can take liberties.

No one fully in possession of his mental faculties would call the Germans informal or chummy. And yet they themselves made up the nickname for Merkel. It really is an original nickname and not made up by Ynet as you can easily verify

Your huge drama here is completely uncalled for. Don't worry, our politicians will continue to address her formally as Angela Merkel, but the media may certainly use nicknames. I don't think any German, or Merkel herself - would mind us calling her by the affectionate nickname Angie. It just means we like her. Back when Bill Clinton was president, the American media affectionately called him "Bubba". He certainly didn't mind it. And do we Israelis make a fuss when people abroad call our Prime Minister "Bibi"?

One of the best leaders in the world. Germany should be proud to have her.

Merkel might be a friend of Israel, but she did not win the absolute majority. She'll have to share the power with the Liberals (FDP), which will most probably head the ministry of foreign affairs. Unfortunately for Jews and Israel, there are strong ant-Semitic tendencies in the FDP. Try googling Möllemann or Karsli, for example. As for the nickname, Merkel's own party used The Roling Stones' song "Angie" in the campaign four years ago.

...Moellemann is dead and Karsli got kicked out of FDP because of his tendencies long time ago....

we'll see a great many more rightwing and center right politicians voted in to run the western European countries. Why? Because the majority are sick of the ultra liberal tendency to give in to the minority Muslim populations within their midsts in the name of some dimwitted democracy, the refusal on the part of Muslims to integrate, the rising crime and aggression against their respective citizenry plus the everpresent internal threats caused by Muslim fundamentalists and seemingly supported by socalled moderate Muslims. As a result, sentiment towards Israel will begin shifting back in favour.

Is she putting any money in Jews bank accounts in Israel? I don't think so. Why are we so happy when Western leaders look the other way when our troops are slaughtering Palestinians in the Gaza. Do we honestly believe that G-d is pleased with our brutal actions?

You have nothing in common with us, and therefore cannot include yourself together with us, using the pronoun "we".

A coalition with the FDP is inevitable, and the FDP is a staunch supporter of the Iranian guy. With Westerwelle as FM, German/ Israeli relations will soon be tense.

now she wins there is a plenty of time before another voting list. that's certainly good for the Jews.

Thank-you is in order, to Ms. Merkel. Israel just received two more sophisticated subs today, again subsidized by Germany. They are the most advanced non-nuclear subs in the world and give the State of Israel not only a second strike capability but also an enhanced first strike. Merkel and her government saw to it that these subs were to be delivered to Israel a lot sooner; they were to be delivered between 2010 and 2012.

She is a strong Judeo-Christian. She knows the GOD of Israel.