It’s election season again in Israel, and the various parties are gearing up for the balloting, which is now less than 4 months away.

With each passing day, it seems, confusion mounts, as the Right finds itself in disarray, the Left is in turmoil, and Ariel Sharon’s new party continues to lead in the polls.

So what is a clear-headed Israeli voter to do? The answer, I think, may be to try and draft a surprise candidate into the race.

And who might that be, you are wondering – well, perhaps the answer is none other than US Vice-President Dick Cheney.

In a speech last week, Cheney laid out a clear philosophy for how not to deal with terrorists: “It is a dangerous illusion,” he said, “to suppose that another retreat by the civilized world would satisfy the appetite of the terrorists and get them to leave us alone.”

In fact, Cheney noted, “such a retreat would convince the terrorists that free nations will change our policies, forsake our friends, abandon our interests whenever we are confronted with murder and blackmail.”

At a time when Prime Minister Sharon is said to be considering major withdrawals from Judea and Samaria, it is a shame that more Israeli politicians don't share the Vice President’s clearheaded thinking.

So that’s why I think it is time to launch a write-in campaign here in Israel, if only to send a message to our leaders that we want someone who will stand firm in the face of Palestinian terror rather than withdraw.

Dick Cheney for Prime Minister!