Govern or quit

The military problems today are not poor training, lack of funds,poor motivation, outdated equipment etc. Although they may play a role these are just excuses for the worst run, most corrupt, power hungry government in the history of Israel. Only when this "tired of fighting Israel's enemies" of an old hound dog, Olmert, leaves with his tail between his legs, can Israel rebuild it's deterrent.

I humbly suggest Mr Peretz be nominated the official falafel maker for the distinguished Knesset. I would assume Mr Olmert would get a share of the profits and sell franchises abroad.

Haaretz was a major backer of this failed government. It would probably help Haaretz Editors to rehabilitate their reputation by confessing that they made a major mistake by supporting this failed government just because it evacuated Gaza and had more plan to even retreat from more lands. Sorry to say, Haaretz editors, you failed your people.

It was in "Life according to Agfa" that a bar keeper called zionism the most hysterical movement ever. For a country, in which military plays an important role, it is also very typical that the one thing that noone can stand is this stagnancy. Why not think for a moment of something which is beyond the political battle of every day, beyond historical pain, beyond personal belief, but that may be is popular nonetheless. Take a walk on the beach, enjoy the nature of your land. Maybe you'll find something you like no matter which is your political conviction.

Haaretz has also made terrible mistakes that have weakened Israel. First, it was the #1 purveyor of the big lie that Arafat intended to make permanent peace with the Jewish state . Second, it espoused an appeasement policy with all of Israel's enemies without regard to what these enemies were saying or doing. Third, it hired a group of extreme lefty Jewish nincompoops - who tragicomically call themselves "intellectuals" - to help poison Israel's standing in the west , and to contribute to the self-delusions of Israel's citizenry (i.e. that the Palestinians really don't intend to destroy Israel). Now, Haaretz is making the exact same mistake with the chinless wonder, who happens to be a-- h--- buddies with Nasrallah, Meshal, and the Mad Dog on Jihad. It is fine to criticize - and nobody is more deserving than the crooked weakling and his so-called "defense minister" - but Haaretz has also played a big role in the weakening of Israel.

After Olmert followed Sharon's coat tails and Sharon got sick,Olmert was left with an empty tank of ideas. Without the intensity needed to push through a new way he couldnt go Left or Right so hired both.That is where they are.Nowhere. But nowhere means status quo.It means that America can push and he has left and right within to agree. America is not going to give up Israel but will protect Israel as it always does and it needs Israels compliance in its bigger picture vision.Which would benefit Israel,any Democratic countries and America in the long run. Americas aim Im sure is keeping control of the supply source for the smaller groups.The weapons that could hurt when used by the smaller groups. This is imperative.For a smaller group can use a weapon with little consequence for them. If Iran uses it or any other country,it will pay the price dearly.

Haaretz, you are complaining against the wron target. Olmert is problematic in many respects, but one thing he does well is internal politics. In a coalition government, he cannot fire Peretz because then Labor will quit the government and Olmert will lose a governing majority. Very simple and obvious. The culprit here is the Labor party. Once the party realizes that its man in Defense is viewed by the public as incompetent in this job, the party should force him to remove himself. For example: The party could decide that Peretz and Ben-Eliezer (a former Defense Minister and currently Minister of Infrastructure) switch places temporarily, until the Winograd commission submits a report or, even better, until the Labor elections for new leader on May 28th. Since Ben-Eliezer is not running, the switch will not advantage anyone unfairly. In the meantime, all Olmert can do is try to undermine Peretz's chances of getting elected. He is delaying approval of the new Arab minister (supposed to enhance Peretz's standing in the Arab sector), and consulting about the new IDF Chief with Peretz's opponents, thus enhancing their stature.

Don't feel bad Haaretz, I know that you supported Olmert, but I voted for a Republican President who ended up being worst than a Democrat. You didn't get your reformer and I didn't get someone I thought would be another Reagan.

Political mandates aren't based on opinion polls,they are derrived from the last election results. Looking at those results Olmert has a mandate, including for the removal of settler outposts. However, he and Peretz didn't keep their promises so far but they still got the mandate to do so.

Olmert has no agenda and doesn't know which direction to take - a continuation of the conflict (including the completion of the 40th year of occupation) or settling on a peace agreement with its neighbours?! After all, the Hollow Leadership is also very much a reflection of the current political situation of the Israeli society - indifferent as long as the IDF can fix it.

The current stalemate and inability of Olmert to do anything but cover his own ass presents as much a danger to Israel as anything I have ever seen. In these times when Iran is planning a Holocaust and the entire region is on the verge of chaos Olmert must be removed and replaced. It is no joke.

"His first mistake was appointing Amir Peretz as defense minister, and he needs to correct it immediately." No, his first mistake was even entertaining the idea of treating Ministries as though they were candy instead of jobs that need people who possess the relevant knowhow to enable them to be done well.

I believe there is a US plan afoot. The romancing of Syria.Positioning and posturing photo ops with Abbas and Olmert but no firm peace plan,yet.Marginalizing of Hamas.Isolating Iran. I believe they are looking at the bigger picture and the bigger dangers down the road. To this I say that America cannot favour a regime change in Israel.This inept Prime Minister of Israel and Abbas are both good people not to rush into deals with but still keep this plan cooking as they are not left or right and putting the situation in the left or right camp is danger to the plan right now.

Did the israeli voters elect Olmert or not ? So does that mean a majority of voters in Israel don't know up from down. Father, grant the leaders of Israel and Arab states the wisdom, desire, and intestinal fortitude to find a way to get along without sheding each others blood. In the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son and savior to any and all that believe in Him.

the most inept group of clowns I've seen in a long time - except maybe Bush and gang.

I have read numerous accounts of Rice's trip, but I didn't quite "get it" until I read that story.

excellent. I have read numerous accounts of Rice's trip, but I didn't quite "get it" until reading that story.

All of a sudden the recognition / understanding of being a country, without government without agenda and without a chance to get out to this state of affair in necessary shortest possible time. The present Olmert government ?rests? on a feeble majority in the Knesset which was elected under completely different circumstances and completely changed outlook. Now various polls - taken by nearly every political group - show complete public?s dissatisfaction as well as n o p r e f e r e n c e for any different political direction. The officially declared ?non agenda of government? got the Israel public into some sort of stupor, being contend with the daily goodies. - Existing parties offered ?old used up slogans together with the same type politicians.? The newly created Kadima party even did not become a real party yet and is already ?on its way out? according to latest polls. We are facing a situation of major chang

And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, and PARSIN. This is the meaning of the matter; MENE: God has numbered your kingdom, and brought it to an end. TEKEL: You are weighed in the balances, and are found wanting. (The Book of Daniel chapter 5, verses 25 to 27)

How many last chances would you like to give to Ehud Olmert whom you welcomed to become PM of Israel? Didn’t he promise a happy Israel? It took a very long time for Haaretz to understand who Olmert is and what he is able to do. Dan Halutz was sacrificed because a cheap scapegoat was needed. But Haaretz is still giving the Olmert troika another last chance in the futile hope that Olmert would give away the Golan and capitulate before Hamas. Olmert, Peretz and Livni have no mandate anymore. Their performance during the last year clearly shows that they would constitute a threat for Israel’s survival if they would have to conduct tough negotiations with the enemies of Israel: Syria, Hamas and the EU. Olmert had his last chance already. The last chance for Israel facing a nuclear Holocaust is to form a new government.

it treats Olmert with hypocritical gloves, as he'd be redeemable. Of course he is not. But one has to admit that for the time being there is no other choice: first priority is getting rid of Peretz. Later will come Olmert himself, together with the whole Kadima.

Olmert, I won't say "Shape up or ship out". I'll say just "Ship out. Now." Your time to correct mistakes has expired months ago, but those mistakes never should have been made in the first place. You don't deserve a chance to get your act together now, because you should have never let your act fall apart in the first place. Leaders of Israel cnanot afford to make the mistakes of the magnitude that you have made, but you are not a leader at all. Make ammends with Peretz? There should never be a situation where the PM and the defense minister don't see eye to eye in the first place. Offer Lieberman's ministry funds? He should not even be in the government at all. Appoint a new Chief of Staff? The war, and the reason for Halutz's resignation should have never happened. You have too much on your shoulders to ever be able to get your act together. Don't even try. Just ship out. Let somebody else pick up the shambles you have left behind you. You haven't the skills to fix them.

Do you think he will change his attitude?

Tanya said of this government - they are a group of oligarchs with no interest except themselves. No structure, no party, no nothing. Just a group of no-ones.