BARBARA'S TCHATZKAHS

Even with primaries here in the U.S., we and Israel face the same challenge. Lack of real, clear leadership. I haven't said much about Olmert lately. Out of sheer disgust. He doesn't care about the people. He told Sderot he feels their pain. Bull. As my mantra to abuse victims goes - WATCH THEIR ACTIONS, NOT THEIR WORDS. Olmert is negligent, disrespectful and full of hubris. And he's got the cahjones to still be negotiating the division of Jerusalem! And the candidates on the horizon here in the U.S.? Well we have a Republican who acts like a Democrat, a Democrat who acts like a Republican and one guy who's so wet behind the ears and I can't believe the naivety and lemming like manner in which he's getting votes! Where are the leaders? Hello???? by Yonatan Yavin We face leadership crisis but can’t find anyone willing to step up to challenge This phenomenon probably has a sophisticated name in the world of business and start-ups. I am talking about that...

"GRIEVOUS WRONG" AMENDED AGAINST AGUNOT Knesset Committee: Division of property before divorce by Neta Sela Constitution, Law and Justice Committee approves bill preventing husbands from extorting wives seeking divorce. MK Melchior: There are no halachic issues here Could it be the end of divorce extortion? The Knesset’s Constitution, Law and Justice Committee approved this week an amendment to Israeli law that would prevent ‘divorce-refusing’ husbands from financially extorting their wives. According to the Property Relations Law (1973) currently in effect in Israel, property division rulings can only take place once a divorce has officially been granted, unless otherwise decreed by the Family Court. This law has thus given ‘divorce- refusing’ husbands the opportunity to extort their wives financially, forcing them to cave in on property matters in return for an official divorce (which, by Jewish law, necessitates the husband’s consent). The new bill, proposed by Knesset Mem...

HERE COMES THE BLAME REDUX OY, here we go!! Why do I feel I am hearing from some ex-boyfriend or ex-friend when I read this? ' it's the IDF's fault; Livni never told me; I had no idea; never happened; what are you talking about ' and the all time Captain Queeg plaintiff wail: ' you are all against me! ' PM Olmert - your 10 minute warning has come and is about to go. Heed it and leave with some class. PLEASE! Olmert wants to appear before war panel By AMY TEIBEL Prime Minister Ehud Olmert wants to appear again before the Lebanon war commission, after testimony released by the body showed he blamed the army for shortcomings but acknowledged he ignored warnings that Israeli forces were unprepared for the conflict last summer. Olmert's office said late Thursday that he wants to counter a statement to the commission from his foreign minister and political rival, Tzipi Livni, that she recommended a diplomatic solution instead of a large-scale military operati...

Israel's next regime must have clout This quote from the below says it all: THE DANGER of allowing a mortally wounded Olmert to linger in office for as long as another two years - admittedly an unlikely prospect - until the next elections is obvious. by Jonathan Tobin As a matter of principle, it is not the business of American friends of Israel to tell Israelis who should, or should not, be their prime minister. That is, unfortunately, a proposition that has been observed largely in the breach over the course of the past 30 years. American Jews, and American politicians, for that matter, have done their best - or worst - over the past three decades to try and tilt the outcome of Israeli politics and elections to suit their preferences. A left-leaning Diaspora Jewry often undermined right-wing Israeli prime ministers such as Menachem Begin, Yitzhak Shamir and Binyamin Netanyahu. The right-wing minority tried, albeit with far less success, to give Yitzhak Rabin, Shimon Pere...

HE'S HAD A BAAAAD DAY... I was away from the computer most of last night and today due to a health emergency. So I am coming late to the Olmert Disaster. I've spent most of my time reading the calls for his resignation and the poor choices to replace him. Minister Livni's weak and limp response didn't win her any points with me either. Much like Bush and Cheney I am saddened that when Israel needs bold leadership more than ever, there is none to be had. I won't say too much that bloggers more astute and better than myself haven't already said... PM Olmert - leave with some shred of your dignity in tact. Please. Olmert Faces Another Day of Calls to Resign by Hillel Fendel and Ezra HaLevi Prime Minister Ehud Olmert survived the day-after-Winograd better than expected, but faces another rough day Thursday: The Knesset will convene to discuss the Winograd report, and later, a large protest is scheduled in Tel Aviv, demanding the government’s resignation....

ARAB BULLCRAP METER IS RINGING Jordan's king urges Israel to adopt Arab peace plan There's no ulterior motive here guys. No! We Arabs want peace, really, honest, swear to Allah!! And until you give it to us -- we will continue sending rockets, suicide bombers and tanks into Israel. In meeting with Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik, King Abdullah calls on Israel to abandon unilateral moves, enter peace negotiations based on Arab peace initiative. 'Israel must recognize all Palestinian rights, including establishment of Palestinian state,' he says Jordan's King Abdullah on Thursday called on Israel to abandon the unilateral moves "which have failed" and enter negotiations with the Palestinians. Saudi foreign minister says Arab counterparts asked Egypt, Jordan to contact Israeli government to try to persuade it to accept Arab peace plan; however, Arab League secretary general says larger delegation would negotiate 'only after Israel stops its practices in oc...