Another empty threat from Sharon. If elections are to be soon then anyone running against Sharon can use his personal corruption against him with ease. He is one finger's breadth away from following Omri to prison.

While Peretz has some very good ideas and policies, he won't stand a chance against Dr. Sharon. As for melekh Yisrael's future, he should forget the Liqud and form a new party with people like Peres, Lapid and a few sane Liqudnikim.

When European parliamentary democracies call for new elections they set the date for +,- 6 weeks from the call. They don't waste time and money by dragging it on for months.

The truck drivers are wonderful people but they do not quaiify to be Prime Ministers. It is an absolute shame that Israel can produce the Nobel Prize winners produce a Labor Party leader like Peretz. He is not a good communicator, does not speak decent English, does not have a presence and is not of PM quality. Israel is under a microscope and needs leaders like Bibi who will be able to express themselves to the world's audience. Peretz does not have that ability.

ביבי הביתה!

Let's have a little think in an analogous sort of way -- 1. truck drivers are generally good drivers, they are focused and stay on the road. 2. truck drivers know how to follow rules and stick to delivery schedules. 3. truck drivers are honest and don't steal the merchandise they are supposed to deliver. You ask me these are all excellent qualities for a Prime Minister to have. With respect to Mr. Peretz communication skills in English -- I heard him on the radio the other day chatting with the British Prime Minister in English...and you know what Mr. Peretz did just fine! It would seem that the sample of Mr. Peretz English that Roger in USA heard was a prepared speech that Mr. Peretz read. Truth be told all of us English speakerrs should only read so well out loud in Hebrew! In my opinion given that I live in Israel what Israel needs is a leader who can communicate with the people of Israel and who is aware of the needs of the people of Israel and not a leader who plays well before international audiences and on television! An Israeli. p.s. as I understand in addition to Hebrew and English Mr. Peretz also speaks Arabic and French. These are very good languages to have!

Mr Sharon seems to know exactly what the people want. He seems also to know when they changed their minds like him to follow the agenda of his defeated opponent Amram Mitzna. Yes, Mr Sharon knows that the people want what he wants. What an arrogant fool!

so naturally we do it differently here!

i was thinking the same, haha ;-)

Levantines?! I thought it was because we the you-know-who are the you-know-what and ALWAYS know best!

that'll teach you to make silly discriminatory comments. or perhaps for really good laughs we should discuss the overweight haggard mafioso look of the likud party! no, on second thought forget it...it's not nice to make fun of a politically disadvantaged overweight former prime minister who is also a confessed philandering husband on his third marriage!! best just to leave it alone and not mention a word.

always best when we can laugh at ourselves...relieves the stress!

US COLONIALISM. OR BUY CHINESE.

Just as people said we would laugh when Kerry would be elected President. Oooops. He lost and so will Peretz. Want to make a wager?

roger prefers glib smooth talking used car salesmen, like Netanyahu to a politician who has emerged from the working class and who is extremely articulate in languages that I suspect roger is ignorant of

because earlier this week "everyone" from the right who responds to these talkbacks went to town on Mr. Clinton for his infidelity. Funny thing is that none of the talkback righties has said boo about my comments regarding Mr. Netanyahu's philandering ways! There is an old saying "Silence is consent" and since all the righties are silent I suppose it means that they condon Mr. Netanyahu's philandering actions and do not believe that they stand in his way. Now with respect to who will the upcoming elections...no wager (gambling like philandering is against the laws of the Torah) ;-) ...let's just wait and see what happens. ;-)