The Putinization of Israel

[Stand With Israel. Crush Hamas]

That would be a huge mistake for Israel. We are the only thing stopping them from becoming a pariah state and they return the favor by slandering our leaders. Israel needs new leadership, from the left-wing.

There isn't going to be a left-wing Israeli leader again, at least not in this generation. Ehud Barak and later Ehud Olmert poisoned that well completely. You can't win an election when you lose the security question by 60%. If Netanyahu - arguably the weakest potential Likud leader - won reelection decisively with low poll numbers and the American President actively encouraging his ouster, the right isn't losing any time soon.

That being said, they'll definitely be better off once a moderate right-winger like Nir Barkat takes charge.

[Stand With Israel. Crush Hamas]

As for Israel and Putin, I think this will all heavily be determined by what happens after Obama leaves office. Right now, Israel doesn't trust Obama to protect them at the UN. That leaves them with no choice but to potentially set up some quid pro quo with Putin to obtain their veto. They're covering both sides, but if Obama decides to set up a last-minute strike at the UN, perhaps even after the election, Israel will be prepared. If there's one thing they've learned from history, it's caution and backup plans.