Leadership issues:

First of all, leaders are not the first to articulate what needs to be done. The people themselves talk about their problems and discuss what needs to be done. After those discussions, some people take upon themselves to get the needed changes implemented - and they are the leaders.

If people do not know what needs to be improved, from where do prospective leaders get the goals to whose attainment, they’ll lead the people?

Second, don’t confuse between politicians and leaders. Ben Gurion was a true leader. Ariel Sharon, too - for example, in the saga of pullout from Gaza Strip.

Controversy always follows true leaders - because they change the world and some people are inevitably hurt from those changes. Ben Gurion was sharply criticized due to the Altalena affair and due to dismembering of the PALMACH - but today we see the wisdom of his judgment in the country bordering us from the north (not to mention the falling of the Second Temple, which followed a civil war in Jerusalem).

Where are the sharp controversies following Ehud Barak and the other politicians?

First of all there is a typo in your spammer warning page - receipient - should be recipient.

Now that we have the nit-picking done with we can move on to more substantive issues.

Do I agree?

Not necessarily.

Ben Gurion, I believe had goals for Israel and the War of Independence was a necessary step to achieve the goal of “Medinat Hayehudim”. To this extent, I am certain that the the 48 war, even though forced on Israel was a success by all measures.

I know it is fashionable the past 2-3 years to talk about not starting a war or a police action without knowing how you are going to get out or what you will do the next day “after”.

I agree with you that we have a systemic problem. but I disagree that it is a problem of Israelis agreeing on what kind of country they want.

Before we can attain national consensus - we need to have leaders who can define what they want for the country.

Israel putting it simply, needs leaders with values. Sharon was a leader but his values were arguable. Olmert is not a leader and his values are corrupt and corrupting. Livni has neither leadership nor values at all. Her only qualifications for the job are that she has kept her nose clean in 7 offices, but being a woman and PC cannot cut it when the world economy is on fire.

We need better and the only way we will get better leadership is by demanding it.

Best regards,
Danny