Keep it quiet boys ...

Most would think that a prime minister's first obligation is the protection of the citizens in his care. Not so Ehud Olmert who continues to put politics and self image above all other considerations. As residents of Sderot go on hunger strike to protest the lack of military response to the barrage of Kassam missiles from liberated Gaza, Sderot's own first citizen, Amir Peretz is prevented from acting in his new role of defence minister of the State of Israel. "Make sure there are no embarrassments while I am away..." is the obvious parting message Olmert gave to Peretz prior to his Sunday departure for meetings with Blair and Chirac.

The only other explanation is that Olmert is bowing to pressure from his own daughter Dana who last week demonstrated against Israel's brutality to Palestinians.