Israel needs a real opposition

Strenger is right. If the centre left parties join a right wing coalition in which they will be ignored or outflanked, it will be a disaster. This is not just a matter of Israel's 'image' in the world at large, but of Israel's very future. This is a moment of choice, a moment of crisis . Greater Israel - control of the West Bank declared permanent whether or not officially annexed- means not only the end of Israel as a democracy. It also means the end of the Jewish state, as Israel will not be able to deny the Palestinians their political rights indefinitely, and cannot expel them. So what may seem to many Israelis a pragmatic solution ('no one to talk to', 'they want to destroy us') is in fact a recipe for political suicide.

Dear Carlo, 12/7/12 If I were religious, I'd say: 'From your keyboard to God's ear.' You've described the reality correctly. The time for caring more about changing Israel, to realizing we're all headed right smack dab into the mud of nationalistic arrogance... unless the people with the ego-drives and campaign funds unite and try their best to stop this warped Israeli Huey Long show that Bibi is leading. I'm not a betting man, either, but if I were, I'd be delighted to lose it all because I'd place my bet on the right-wing being already fine-tuned to go for the jugular vein of any opposition to the settlements and occupation.There's no one, there's no party to stop them. The left and dietetic center have to unite. They have to cut the crap, and talk and run with one voice. They can split the pie after they get power. We need patriots, not politicians. Or, politicians who know how to be patriots, first. Still, an excellent opinion piece. Thanks, Bill Treistman