[kress]

No matter how much I disagree with Sharon, I must respect and cherish what he has done for Israel since before its inception.

The man certainly does not deserve to die. Hopefully, he will make a full recovery and then he ought to either reverse his course regarding the foreign policies of Israel vis-a-vis the Israeli-Arab conflict and/or step down and let someone else deal with the future of Israel more effectively.

There were some people in Israel who wished him dead not so long ago. A Jew hating another Jew is one of the greatest sins in Judaism. Two temples fell precisely because of hatred (Sin'at Hinam) between fellow Jews and it must not be allowed to happen again.

The question that remains now, even if hopefully Sharon recovers, is who will replace him?

There isn't a single politician/statesman in Israel with a clear vision for the future and a true sense of leadership.

Peretz is a liberal socialist who would sell Israel to the highest bidder and so will the rest of the Labor party leftists.
Bibi is not trustworthy, I'm afraid. The guy is very well spoken, but he is not the kind of guy I would trust to lead Israel in these trying times. He just doesn't have the backbone.

With Sharon's political career at its end, Kadima is a non-party. It's virtually dead. The party is made of centrist, opportunist, PC politicians with no ideologies, no clear agenda, and absolutely ZERO leadership skills.

Where does that leave Israel? Without a clear leader who can combat terrorism and a guy who can deal with Israel's foreign policies in regards to Iran and the Arabs in the big picture. Israel it getting shot at every turn, capitulating more and more in front of the world, with no REAL support from any country in the world (yes, that includes the US who is pressing Israel into further appeasement). Israel is at a crossroads right now. Let us pray that G_d will carry His People to TRUE peace and prosperity and help them in these hard times.

2006 will definitely be a VERY interesting year. We're only 4 days into the year and this happens.

[floridaobserver]

"Bibi is not trustworthy, I'm afraid. The guy is very well spoken, but he is not the kind of guy I would trust to lead Israel in these trying times. He just doesn't have the backbone."


Bibi doesn't have the backbone?? He's already announced that he intends to destroy Iran's nuclear facilities as soon as he takes office.

Say what you will about Netanyahu, but he has enough backbone . . I don't understand your critcism.

[Salem]

"...Let us pray that G_d will carry His People to TRUE peace and prosperity and help them in these hard times."

There is more truth than you think in your statements. That G-d continues to call His people back to Him is undeniable.

That being said, I scanned this picture of Ariel Sharon from one of my books. Most pictures of Sharon you will find on the 'net are of an elderly, gray haired old man; portrayed now as weak and dying. Never forget he was instrumental in the further strengthening of the Nation of Israel in earlier and even more troubling times, an effective warrior, and a powerful man.

Save one for your records.