Booklet of instructions for religious soldiers on how to avoid interaction with women was issued in early October. "Let me be absolutely clear: The only people who have any authority on the matter are those who define orders, namely the military commanders. Men and women will continue to serve side by side, as one, in the Israel Defense Forces," Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi states.

Since the Right is in the unusual position of questioning authority, it must act responsibility. The conspiracy theory about Rabin's murder voiced at a rally this week marked a new low, and the Right should ask itself how it happened.

In this game of chicken, Netanyahu has already decided that a third early election is preferable to ditching his right-wing allies. Gantz has not made up his mind.

As anti-government demonstrations in Iraq gain momentum, populist Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr has demanded Abdel Abdul Mahdi resigns as prime minister. Shiite Iran has emerged as a key power broker in Iraqi politics and if Iraq falls further into crisis, Iran risks losing the influence it has steadily been amassing in the country.

State Department tells Congress that the White House budget office and National Security Council had decided to withhold foreign military assistance but does not give a reason for the decision. The move comes two days after the resignation of Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri.