While there are polls and there are opinions, it appears the upcoming general election in Israel is of more than a little interest to some. Channel 2 TV News reported that there are website accepting bets on who will take the next elections, stating at present, there is one bet pending in favor of Tzipi Livni amounting to $50,000.

That said, polls are pointing to opposition leader Binyamin Netanyahu, who is succeeded in assembling an all-star lineup for the upcoming election.

Interestingly, his success is beginning to become evident among veteran party officials in the form of legitimate concern, fearing the newcomers may succeed in the primary election at the expense of their slots on the ballot and as a result, some of the veteran Likudniks may find themselves outside of the next Knesset.

The same is true of the Kadima party, which on Monday boasted its latest newcomer, former IDF spokesman Brigadier-General (reserves) Nachman Shai, who earned a place in Israeli history during the First Gulf War, as he kept the nation calm despite the repeated Scud missile attacks from Iraq.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)