Israel's political leaders and wanna bees are in politics for 3 reasons only .. MONEY and the lust for more of it is 1, the 2nd is the power that money buys, it is well known that Israeli's politions strongly desire attention and just love to flex their financial muscles flashing their materialistic purchases in the poor, needy, ill and handicaped public's faces. The 3rd reason is the social status that money buys, the poisitions of of power are usually handed down through family as an inheritance..some social inheritnce is known to of been going on for sometime now. Aliyah and Zionism has been and is still a prime tool in collecting donations in the name of the people but not for the people, having lived in Israel for over 20 years have made me an expert on the subject of public official's corruption at the expence of the average poor mooch. Jews are experts at living in denial so nobody is ever inpeached. Watching those Aliyah makers getting off the planes pledging alliance to Israel has become the fruit of corrucption which gives much juice.

Money is pretty important all over the world. It's always been pretty important. But in the past (or in 3rd world countries today) only a small elite had a decent standard of living. Modern capitalism has brought better living conditions to literally billions of people. Our country will have no future & no security without money. The economy matters. If markets didn't react to the Lebanese war, it may be that it was not really important. And, in my opinion, Olmert 's lousy job as PM seems not to be very important either. The author seems to be one of those disappointed leftist idealists who is pessimistic because his views have been marginalized - he can't admit that Israel is actually quite successful given our circumstances. And, worse, this success is not because of his leftist ideals, quite the contrary.

My fellow Israelis, our long national nightmare continues. We have no Constitution. Our tiny state is a government of a few men and not a government of laws. Here only a few people rule. Ready to help: unesil-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Firstly, what the author conveniently forgot to mention was that a law reform from several years ago amended an Israeli Basic Law regarding the Prime Minister: In essence, the law states that, for radical reforms in government to take place, NOT ONLY does a two-thirds majority of MKs have to vote to replace the PM, they also have to provide an agreed upon ALTERNATIVE to the prime Minister. Perhaps there's not an uproar in Israel because petitioners against the government were aware of/informed of Israel's basic law. Secondly, it could be that people aren't protesting because of the very domestic problems that are plaguing Israel and mentioned by the author. In normal democratic countries, it's hard enough exacting change within a fourth year term because one always has an eye on the upcoming elections. In Israel, with the constant government upsets, exacting domestic changes over time - which are often unpopular but are later seen as good, such as a tax increase that results in good infrastructure a few years later - became almost impossible in a reality when a PM could be (and practically was) ousted every other month. The stability of an almost set-in-stone four year term is, in fact, a much needed grace period to allow for domestic improvements. This is actually the REASON that the law amendment aformentioned was adopted. Thirdly, the lack of radical protest in Israeli society could also be because, despite the fact that Israel suffered a blow to its security image for the first time, there was also an immediate inquiry into the security cock-up. In the past, including the 1973 war which was also considered a gov't mess up by the society, it took YEARS to launch an investigation into operational military handling (the commissions on the gov't and IDF Chief of Staff notwithstanding) of the sort that was undertaken within weeks of the ceasefire with Lebanon.

Money is an inanimate object. Now that Saddam is in eternity, how much importance do you think he places on money? WE are like the grass of the field that is here today and then withers and is gone tomorrow. Do not slip into eternity without fully investigating what awaits you. You give more attention to your car warranty. This life now is temporary. Seek ye the Lord while you may. Why take a chance on your eternal soul?

There is no question that Israel has to address and urgently solve the socio-economic and educational challenges in our country. In contrast to what the hysterical writer thinks, these problems are not unique to Israel and exist in Europe and in the US as well. The educational system is very poor in many leading European countries as well as in the US where kids even shoot at each other with guns. The socio-economic cleavages have increased dramatically both in the US and in Europe. Is anyone suggesting that the US or Europe is collapsing? We in Israel should realize that we have the capability and if we have the will, we both can and will solve Israel's socio-economic and educational challenges. In fact many things are already moving forward, more and more Israeli Arabs and Ortodox Israelis are getting higher education, joining the work-force and getting modernized, which will significantly bring down poverty in Israel. Heavy investments in infrastructure like high-ways, IT, education, job creation and railways will gradually remove the concept "periphery" in such a small and developed country as Israel. And let us not forget to appreciate what has already been accomplished: Israel has today the fastest growing economy in the West, is the most important IT and technology centre for innovation in the world next to Silicon valley, has the highest number of engineers and scientists per capita in the world. In terms of international competitiveness Israel was this year ranked number 15, ahead of France, Belgium, Canada, Australia, Italy, Spain and many other developed nations.

Israel tried to win peaceful existence military for decades without much success. Israel become regional military superpower and that change nothing. Why not try economic approach for for difference ? Let's become regional economic and financial superpower and see if we will fare better. Money may win where arms couldn't.

The silence is because despite all the investigations, we don't really know whether the war was good or bad, it showed us our weaknesses for the next war that might not be initiated by us. As far as money, Israel is an older country now, the older generation that formed it, died off, and it takes money to build a country.

Dan , i fully agree with you . I would add , do not forget that Israel has integrated some millions of people , many who came without anything .

Israel is not the only country without a constitution... why you care so much about it? Sounds like a empty sentence...

The modern state of Israel was founded and theorized by Jewish religious traitors. The greater part of its population has been educated for several generations as secular materialists and as particular Torah haters. So after you throw away God and your religion what else is there but materialism, without a belief in God and Judaism in other words the essence of the Jewsih people all hope is lost. Don't forget Israel means what with God and Jewish Yehudi means what to God. So Ben Gurion got his wish Jewish Whores of a type and Israel will fall again without repentance like the Northern Kingdom so long ago.

Israel plainly needs to transition from a fiat monetary system to a commodity backed monetary system, like gold or silver; the bank of Israel should be abolished, or relegated to only clearing checks and providing honest weights and measures. A lot of you rely on the government to solve society's problems, which won't be solved through governmental beuracracies. Only a government that is forcefully fiscally responsible through a commodity standard and who does not plunder the people with inflation will spend its money wisely. Also, a consitution to protect rights like property, so tyrannical government's like Sharons can't evict hardworking, honest settlers, and despoil their land. A government that dosn't respect private property will certainly not respect its citizens. So when you go to the polls, you should think twice about voting to plunder the treasure and to legally steal money from another citizen. Instead you should vote for someone who will set up a constitution that will provide many checks and balances, and take control of the money supply away from the government/banking cartel.

who belongs in prison. Let Tel Aviv University help him overcome his dependence on money by firing him!

new god ???mwuahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

Israel wasn't defeated. That is a blatant lie. They achieved most of their goals but spent more time than they expected. Undersestimation is not a defeat. If the UN and US had not put pressure they would have done more. They progressed in their efforts - there was no defeat! Thank you IDF for the win as Lebanon is a new place because of it.

Intersting. Jewish religious trators.Ask those young "trators' who lost ther families in the gas chabers in WWII.They are who won all of the wars and saved Land of Israel.It easy to express your opinion sitting in NYC.At least "religious trators" did something rpoductive. David Ben Gurion out of your league,methnik.

sure try saying anything not leftist enough and you'll face criminal charges

In the Tanakh the prophets such as Hosea warned the northern tribes because they trusted in their strong economy and miltitary to protect them and not in God ... and when they refused to turn back to God He raised up evil nations to sorely judge them ... The Bible warns God has not changed ... He will sorely judge and test the nation and people who put their trust and faith in their economy and military INSTEAD of in God alone . . . And as the Bible says. "may all who have an ear hear ..." Grace and Shalom, www.alphanewsdaily.com www.theprophecies.com

We have reached the stage of the GOLDEN CALF, money. That's real progress! That's real modernity!! We refuse to learn anything from our history. The denials and those who deny the accuracy of our ancient sources and their truth cause the constant troubles that befall our people. We learned nothing from our stay in ancient Egypt, ancient Persia, and the problems with Hellenists, all the children of Esau and Ishmael, until this very day. ISRAEL-WAKE UP!!!!!!