If the Israeli electorate does not decisively favor Ehud Olmert or Benjamin Netanyahu, Amir Peretz might end up playing kingmaker.

In a matter of 48 hours a generation has passed in Israel.� � Two sunsets ago Ariel Sharon appeared on his way to winning his third consecutive election as Prime Minister.� � But his body has done what no Israeli politician, Arab dictator or Palestinian terrorist could ever do.� � Even if Sharon should survive the ordeal of surgery the severity of his stroke has, barring a miracle, effectively removed him from public life forever.

So where does Israel go from here?� � Elections are set for March 28th.� � Sharon had just christened a new political party� — Kadima� — after bolting from the Likud Party in November 2005.� � Kadima consists of moderate Likudniks as well as former Prime Minister Shimon Peres.� � There are those who view this coalition as an alliance that would have never seen the light of day without Sharon.� � Now that Sharon is out of the picture will Kadima go forward or will it be frozen?

That question will be answered by Ehud Olmert, who has been named Acting Prime Minister.� � Olmert has been a fixture in Israeli politics since� he was among the original members of the Likud Party� elected to the Knesset in 1973 at the tender age of 28.� � Olmert is best known as the man who ended Teddy Kollek’s 28-year run as Mayor of Jerusalem in 1993.� � � Olmert held this post until 2003 when he joined Sharon’s cabinet.� � He was among the first Likud Party stalwarts to join Kadima after its formation.

In his youth, Olmert was known for his opposition to the 1978 Camp David Peace Accords; a position he now regrets.� � � Olmert was arguably Sharon’s most stalwart supporter of the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.� � When Benjamin Netanyahu resigned as Finance Minister in protest, Olmert was named to succeed Netanyahu.� � Olmert will now most likely square off against Netanyahu in March unless the election is postponed.

Netanyahu was trailing Sharon in the polls by a substantial margin.� � Will Sharon’s departure give Netanyahu a new lease on life?� � Will the Israeli electorate turn to Netanyahu as they did in 1996, less than a year after the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin?� � Israelis generally favor the withdrawal from Gaza, although there is anxiety about the loud noises coming from Iran about wiping Israel off the face of the earth.� � Indeed, President Ahmadinejad gleefully wished for Sharon’s death.� � Could increased saber rattling from Iran coupled with a homicide bombing in Israel persuade Israelis to lend their support to Netanyahu?� � Is Netanyahu poised for a political comeback a la Sharon, Rabin or David Ben Gurion?� � Or does the Israeli electorate still remember the Netanyahu they ousted from office in 1999?

Of course, Labor Party leader Amir Peretz will have something to say about the matter.� � If the Israeli electorate does not decisively favor Olmert or Netanyahu, Peretz might end up playing kingmaker.� � Given Peretz’s support for a Palestinian state the odds are that Peretz would support Olmert over Netanyahu.� � On the other hand, Peretz’s rivalry with Kadima’s Shimon Peres might be such that he might entertain an offer from Netanyahu.

There are many who fear that the progress of the road map with the Palestinians will be all for naught without Sharon.� � I disagree.� � Although the circumstances surrounding Sharon’s exit from public life are tragic Israel will carry forward.� � No matter who Israelis elect, that leader will make a good faith effort to bring about peace to Israel.� � Let us not forget that Netanyahu was at one time a negotiating partner with Yasser Arafat and together they signed the Wye River Accords.� � I have little doubt he would again be a negotiating partner if elected again.

No matter who is elected Prime Minister of Israel there will be a concerted effort by Mahmoud Abbas (or whoever is President of the Palestinian Authority) to destroy Israel.� � While Israel teaches their children� tolerance of the Palestinians, the Palestinian Authority will teach their children that Jews are apes and pigs and worthy only of swift execution.� � While Israel releases Palestinian prisoners, the Palestinian Authority leaves the activities of Hamas and Islamic Jihad unchecked.� � � While Israel buries its innocent, the Palestinian Authority names soccer fields and streets after the guilty.� � While Israel continues to make painful concessions, the Palestinian Authority will continue to inflict pain and suffering.� � Through it all, Israel will carry on with determination and dignity while the Arab world, the UN and the Left look upon it with disdain and disgust.� � This state of affairs will exist with Ariel Sharon or without him.