Who do you have in mind as a replacement and what would you recommend he or she do differently?Also, did you vote and if so for whom?

He was openly hostile to Israel.

Israel supported South Africa when it was an Apartheid country. Now, not only is South Africa anti-Israel but the horrible UN conferences on racism equating zionism with racism were made there. So it's not the time to take a stand against that, but saying one can't afford might have seemd a more delicate way out.

Israel represented by a dog-catcher is the correct level. Were not Mandela and his acolyte, Tutu, the architects of the Durban hatefests?

Arne. That is the difficult question as leadership is vision, integrity, strength and compassion, all rolled into one along with seeing the bigger picture for the country and its people. The first recommendation would be that their wife is not intimately involved in anything related to their position or seen to be a "Deputy PM", spendthrift and selfish. Secondly, their self serving grasp of power does NOT override that which is best for the country (Cite Mandela). Thirdly, someone who is not so far removed from the day to day lives of the people of the country that they do not begin to have the ability to address the issues on the ground Fourthly, someone with integrity (Bibi has none) I did vote and thought long and hard about it. I did not vote for Bibi, nor for the left. Last I heard, a persons vote is confidential so I won't say who, but needless to say, it was someone who now has significant influence and who allows his integrity to supersede his popularity.. Israel needs a strong visionary leader to carry them through this extremely difficult time in her history, who can see a bigger world picture, who can not only have the vision but implement it, the likes of Yitzhak Rabin of blessed memory. Who is that - who knows, but certainly not Bibi!

your response to my comment--Mark, I can tell from your letter that your quite bright, but on a different wave length then me..I love the job Bibi is doing in light of the fact that he must walk a very fine line at home and around the world. I can't see anyone at this time better qualified then he.I do believe that every decision made is consulted with the people around him. As for Rabin, the best thing that happened for him is that he didn't live to see the damage he caused. Good luck Mark, have a happy new year, Arne

i think you are just jealous because you do not have such a great person in your country...lol.

Now you know why the Pm didnt make the trip to SA