Only in Israel

First he ruined the Histadrut (the Israeli workers union), then he took over the Labor Party "like Franco" - and now Amir Peretz is to become Defense Minister of Israel, as the Jerusalem Post reports:

Mixed responses to prospects of Peretz as defense minister

Defense officials were taken by surprise on Tuesday after hearing media reports that Labor Party chairman Amir Peretz might become the next defense minister under a new coalition with Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's Kadima Party.

But while some said the appointment could endanger Israel, others hailed the move, claiming that a civilian was exactly what the defense establishment needed to make necessary reforms and confront the country's current security challenges.

Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz on Wednesday refused to take credit for statements reportedly made by his associates quoting him as saying that appointing Labor Chairman Amir Peretz as defense minister would be irresponsible.

Israelis have long been asking themselves whether Peretz and Stalin were separated at birth. Israellycool has the evidence.