Mr Mordechai, a former general who commanded Israel's northern front, and General Lipkin-Shahak have set themselves against all talk of unilateral withdrawal.

ECONOMIST: An occupation Israel would love to end

He records too he is much too good a reporter to blur the facts that many of the peace initiatives attempted over the years were led by sabra army men, among them leading generals, such as Amnon Lipkin- Shahak and Ami Ayalon.

ECONOMIST: Why Israel obstructs reconciliation

Dan Meridor, whom Mr Netanyahu forced out of his cabinet a year ago, has left the party and announced his candidacy for prime minister as a centrist (he and Mr Shahak will eventually decide between them who will be the candidate and who the number two).

ECONOMIST: Israel