lapid, an individual with a point of view who makes decisions not clouded by fear, is threatening to leave. It would be a good day for israel if he left. He learned how to do things from his father and olmert, 2 oslo concesssionaires, dogmatic and unyielding regardless of how many israelis suffer. His antiharedi actions actually have been good but insulting them is not the way. If you watch charlie rose interview of him, you see how confident and ignorant he is at the same time. For example, the slow indecisive way the gaza campaign was run is mostly due to him, livni and bibi, along with erdan. It was a lousy campaign only kept the minimum due to yaalon's hand in it. Otherwise it did not achieve much. Lapid would end up destroying israel with more west bank concessions. It is important that israelis cut his party down to size and soon.

If Lapid quits the coalition so he can be top dog in opposition then he is a buffoon. If he quits because the going gets tough what will voters think of him next election, the honourable martyr or the man who walks away from problems. Lapids glory days will soon be behind him with a predicted 10-11 seats next election so he will no longer have the muscle to demand the top postings.

Lapid wants to be a martyr and quit the coalition to go lead the opposition because he is not getting everything his own way so he is looking to arabs for their support. Lapid is expected to win 10-11 seats next election but if he quits the coalition to lead the opposition where he can only make speeches in a noble cause he will probably get half that because voters want men who at least try get things done not noble martyrs who make speeches.

Channel 2 reports that Peres is pushing to foment a break in the coalition to bring down Netanyahu's government and bring in one more amenable to Peres' idea to promote his idea of a "peace process". Lapid seems to be following such a game plan, but Lapid's justification for a split is weak. His 0% VAT plan is an economic crock, and the defense budget needs to be strengthened. Ground forces need more Trophy-equipped Namer APCs, for example, so IDF troops in old carriers aren't sitting ducks for anti-tank weapons. Where does he think the money will come from? And as a former, and very successful, Finance Minister, Bibi won't be schooled by Lapid about a proper budget. (What's Lapid got to show for his time in that post?) But to bring the haredi parties into the coalition should be a non-starter. Not only will they demand a few billion more in welfare support for their sector but an end to the conscription of yeshiva students. And forget any reform of the rabbinate or the conversion system.

He'd sell his own mother to retain power. He's sell his awful wife to retain power... only nobody would have her! The nation is waking up, Smartutiyahu, and if the Hebrew comments are anything to go by, if Lapid goes into the Opposition, his popularity will soar. No need to comment on where BB stands with the nation right now. Even the right wing are heading elsewhere so he's left with the black hat brigade and they are going to cost the budget a lot dearer than Lapid's plans. Unfortunately, he has a hide thicker than a ten herds of rhino. But sooner or later, every puffed up dictator falls... with a thud.

Center over the Right and Left, no brainer at all. Leave the Haredi parties outside the coalition forever. Lower the VAT to stimulate the economy. The military needs money and should get it from the settlements, that's the possible compromise. Prepare for the resumption of peace talks with the PA. To make it successful Lapid should continue within the coalition.