Believe it or not, Israel follows only California and Massachusetts, reports Business Week. Overseas investments in Israel's high tech exceeds any single European country and exceeds France and Germany combined. Israel features more start-ups than any country other than the U.S. It features the highest number of start-ups per capita. Recent additional Intel investments in the country underscore this reality.

This reality is behind the hope of Kadima, the ailing (yes, he is ailing) Sharon's new party, to establish Israel's approximate final borders in a unilateral manner. Israel, like Ireland and India, wishes to put war and strife her. Unlike Ireland, she is not bordering Great Britain and, unlike India, it does not have size to protect her. So, Israel will probably have to continue to do what she has done since inception: hold the gun in one hand while"ploughing" with the other.

Sharon and company understand as much. Still, they believe it's worth a try if only to convince themselves that they did not miss an opportunity.