Some people still call Israel "The Only Democracy in the Middle East". The truth, of course, is that it is the only military theocracy - well, east of Iran. Case in point: The bizarre insistence by Israel's chief rabbinate that milking cows be fed only unleavened nourishment during the passover, so that the milk will be kosher. 

Needless to say, this requirement is nowhere to be found not only in the Torah, but the entire Talmud as well. But in their incessant need to invent new strictures so as to out-pious the competition, the carriers of the malignant jehovah virus have reached this new depth, which manages to combine pathetic wankerism and needless cruelty to the poor bovines in one fell swoop. Welcome to Israel, and welcome to the Weekend Holyland Update, flight 040409. 

Binyamin Netanyahu finally made it back to the PM's residence over here, but not before cobbling what has to be the most ridiculous, overbloated, wasteful and shameful coalition government ever.

There's a Minister  for "PR and diasporas" (Not to be confused with the separate and distinct "Minister forAssimilating Immigrants")

A Minister for minority affairs

A Minister for "Improving Contact with the Public"

A Minister for Strategic Threats

A Minister for Development of the Negev and Galilee

I could go on, but you get the picture.  However, out of 31 ministers, including 6 ministers without portfolio, 4 deputy PM's and 2 "substitute PM's", not one could be found to man (or wo-man) the post of Minister of Health. Not important enough. Not important as, say, Minister for Regional Development.

A day after this abomination was sworn in (swear words being highly appropriate), our new Foreign Minister, racist, fascist, crooked Israel Beyteinu  leader Avigdor Lieberman (Yvette to his mama) basically announced that Israel is unilaterally turning its back on the agreement signed two years ago at Annapolis, which affirms the two state principle. 

Now Annapolis, like any other diplomatic "achievement" during the Bushwhack era, was basically a wankathon. However, wankathons should be ignored, not pissed on. 

Our soccer team turned in another pathetic performance in the back to back against Greece. We tied them 1:1 at home, and lost 1:2 over there, playing horribly in the first half both times, and decent-minus in the second. Coach Dror Kashtan made a bunch of questionable decisions, and the unanimous opinion is that he flopped and should be sacked pronto. Israel will not be in South Africa 2010 in any event. 

Oh, and the IDF set some kind of world record by clearing itself within two weeks of all the allegations of misconduct (aka war crimes) during Operation Thrown Tantrum back in January, that were revealed in a military seminar held after the war.  What's even more impressive is that they closed the case without interviewing any of the actual witnesses. Just makes your heart swell with pride, what can I say.

What I can say is: Rate and comment, ye scurvy bastids. And have a great weekend :-)