M Ted: Israel has a very sophisticated intelligence network and they know very well what is happening inside Iran. They will not be surprised by any pre-emptive attack. If anything, they will neutralize Iran's offensive capability, just like they did years ago with the reactor in Iraq, before Iran can get their missles off the ground. Many of the Sephardic Jews who serve in Israels intelliegence services originally come from these Middle Eastern nations and blend in very well with the locals. In order to survive in that part of the world you have to understand the Arab mentality. Israel understands it. Unfortunately for George W. Bush, he did not understand it at all and that is why we are now in the quagmire of a mess that we are in Iraq. As far as the Christian rightwingers go, yes. They are not real friends of the Jews but only temporary allies that are trying to fulfill a prophecy that they believe from the New Testament. However, we as Jews do not believe at all in the New Testament, only in the Old Testament. In fact, Orthodox Jews are forbidden to read the New Testament unless they are engaged in anti-missionary activity, for which they have to get a special dispensation. I am not one of those few who are so engaged. SOL ZELLER