Not that they have suddenly become enamored of Barak or his candidacy. Rather, as Gila Svirsky says, what she sees as the implications of a Sharon government have begun to hit home. After all is said and done, however, I believe that Sharon would be an incredibly evil and violent prime minister, and a nightmare for Palestinians, for the left-wing, for women, for gays, and for all who live in this region. I don't like Barak. But elections aren't about liking, and they aren't an exercise in personal truth.
Elections are about public responsibility.
It's irresponsible to contribute to Sharon being elected. Those are the options. So they should curse, or hold their noses, or spit into the envelope before casting their vote. These people who are talking about casting a blank ballot think they are punishing Barak, but that's silly. They are rewarding Sharon, and punishing all of Israeli society.