oneworldtalk

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7533996.stm

Tzipi Livni is tipped as the most likely successor to Olmert. Currently his deputy, she is one of Israel's most popular politicians. Significantly, Livni helped broker Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. She is viewed as one of the few centrists not tainted by corruption, and champions a vision of Israel co-existing with a Palestinian state. However, critics argue that she lacks the military and political experience to lead the country. She had a law practice and worked briefly as a Mossad agent.



A Livni leadership may improve the prospects for peace in the Middle East. However, would the ultra and conservative Israelis prefer a stronger leader after what they perceived as weakness and military failures under Olmert's leadership?

Public Security Minister Avi Dichter is a controversial figure to many Palestinians, as it was while he was head of Shin Bet that Israel bombed a Hamas commander's home, killing him, his wife and nine children and a number of others.

The Hawks

DPM and Transport Minister Shaul Mofax has been outspoken on security issues, recently told an Israeli newspaper that a military strike on Iran to stop it developing nuclear weapons looked "unavoidable". He also called for the resignation of the head of the UN nuclear watchdog, saying he had endangered world peace by neglecting Iran's nuclear programme.

Interior Minister Meir Sheetrit reportedly told fellow cabinet members after a rocket attack on Israel from Gaza that they should pick a neighbourhood in Gaza, give the inhabitants 24 hours to leave and "wipe it out".

Hopefully, Binjimin Netanyuhu is not in the running. The hawks may unravel the steps taken by Olmert to negotiate with Syria and Iran and abandon the peace process.