What vision? Emptiness and indifference has taken over Israel.

No mention of the damage done by his cronies like Liberman. The year wasn't good at all. No wonder Netanyahu's speech at Herzliya was devoted to the danger of national collapse. Isn't the Goldstone report part of the last year too?

I have some serious questions about the past year. However I have a few serious questions for the writer of the article: 1. The speech Bibi gave was no different to the so-called 'leftist' platforms of parties during Rabins time. Furthermore, The discussed agreements between all previous govs were on the understanding of a demilitarised Palestinian state. Bibi offered NOTHING new that was not previously understood. Most of what he said was already in the road map in any case. The only thing that suddenly made it reasonable is that he is the leader of the right wing Likud. That's hardly a unifying achievement though, is it? 2. The worlds fears on Iran have intensified. But how much is that down to Obama failing to deal with Iran? It might be down to Israel, but what proof does the writer have that Bibi did anything to move this forward? 3. Unemployment at a record low? Isn't it hovering around the 8% mark compared to about 6% a year ago? Of course with the world recession this was always likely to be the result, and one can argue he (as PM) sailed the economic ship well, however to say there is record low unemployment is simply untrue. If you are going to argue he did well in steering the nation state in economic terms, it would be nice if you provided evidence. My conclusion is that on none of the points highlighted in the article is there a shred of evidence to prove the PM or his government led the aforementioned successes. While they may have, the lack of evidence makes it impossible to give them any credit. And lastly, as mentioned, the point about unemployment is simply untrue, so that makes me question my trust in the article. While I agree that Israeli pundits have asked silly questions which are more gossip than a serious debate over the nation, this article does not energize facts in to the debate, and thus in fact joins the gossip and "opinions" column.

"At the base of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu`s worldview is profound anxiety over Israel`s future . . ." At the base of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu`s method is keeping Israel in a state of persistent and total fear. A scared Israel is an Israel that needs Netanyahu. "The art of leadership... consists in consolidating the attention of the people against a single adversary and taking care that nothing will split up that attention."

Are Liebermann, Goldstone report and Iran going nuclear considered trivialities?! All 3 factors contribute greatly to the isolation and delegitimization of Israel. Netanyahu completely failed on that and ignoring it is part of assessment confirms that the article is in no way objective.

The rest of the world finally understands that Israel is a pariah state that has no interest in peace. I hope Netanyahu will keep his facist foreign minister and we might see an even better year to come.

What achievements? Yes, the press do report on trivialities but what has Netanyahu achieved? He has alienated the USA by is scared to break off diplomatic relations with Turkey which is now a hostile state. He has allowed Shas to dominate when it comes to legislation. He and Silvan Shalom came to the Galilee and the Golan Heights and made promises which the Treasury promptly overruled! Crime is rampant and the Police cannot or will protect the people. The courts let killers get away with murder. Soldiers refusing to carry out orders and the "left" refusing to serve. As in his previous term he has padded the wallets of the rich and pushed the middle class into poverty. He can't even appoint a full time Minister of Health! I can can on and on so please Mr. Daum, tell us what his achievements are?

1) That he not bow to American demands to establish a Muslim-terror state in Judea, Samaria, Gaza, etc. 2) That he thwarts Iran's ambition to become a nuclear power, American pressure notwithstanding. Should Iran join the nuclear club on this prime minister's watch, this will be his legacy. I hope and pray PM Netanyahu does not bow to immoral US pressure in this respect. Clearly Obama has resigned himself to a nuclear Iran, as has his Joint Chiefs of Staff. A nuclear Iran will pose a threat to the entire world.

Bibi was not elected for the benefit of the likes of you. Just the mere fact that you are displeased means Netanyahu is doing something right.

tO MARK Aren't you being just a bit melodramatic? Do you live in Israel? I've been here for many years, and I do not know a single person, who lives in a state of "persistent and total fear." What a statement!!!! You give the impression that people are walking around here terrified! Pullleeeze! The theatres and restaurants are filled, the beaches and parks are teeming with families - no one is going around fearful. Get a life Mark.

A good year in office Why are we looking at trivialities when assessing Bibi’s performance Joel 3 1"For behold, in those days and in that time, when I shall bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem, 2I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the Valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for My people and for My heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted My land. AND- Isaiah 54 1"Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear! Break forth into singing and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child! For more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife," saith the LORD. 2Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations; spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes. 3For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left, and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited. 4"Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed; neither be thou confounded, for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more. 5For thy Maker is thine husband" the LORD of hosts is His name" and thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; the God of the whole earth shall He be called. THE PMs PERFORMANCE IS SURELY NO TRIVIALITIES IN DEED !!!. Arn.

I am not a Netanyahu supporter and think he has failed on many fronts, but blame him for the right things. #5: The Goldstone report accuses Barak, Olmert and Livni of war crimes and is therefore directed at the failures of Netanyahu's predecessors. In any case, recent reports are that the Goldstone report was based on false information given to poor Goldstone by Israelis who were paid by foreign governments. #7 Shalit was kidnapped because of the destruction of Gush Katif, allowing Hamas to take power. Israel's military option was lost by Olmert in the failed "Cast Lead" operation. Yesterday, Olmert said that "Cast Lead" failed because Barak lied to him. You can't blame Netanyahu.