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In this Hanukkah season we are asked once again to believe that a single day's portion of oil miraculously kept the eternal flame burning in the re-consecrated Temple for eight days.

That's one of the more credible things we are asked to believe; here are some of the tougher ones. Feel free to submit your own.

Does anyone believe...

If Barack Obama had stopped in Israel in June to speak to Israelis as he had to Muslims in Cairo that his standing in the Jewish state would be so low?

Binyamin Netanyahu really wants to see a two-state solution that involves return of most of the West Bank and a Palestinian capital in Jerusalem?

That had Netanyahu announced the 100 percent settlement freeze Palestinians demand that PA leader Mahmoud Abbas would praise the move and resume talks?

That had Netanyahu announced the total freeze he and his government would have survived the day?

That Netanyahu's government really will live up to his promises for a 10-month freeze and not keep making exceptions?

Settlements are the real obstacle to peace and not just an excuse?

There is anything Netanyahu can realistically do, short of cutting a deal with Syria, that would get Abbas to the negotiating table?

Does anyone believe...

The U.S. Embassy in Tel-Aviv will be moved to Jerusalem before there is a peace agreement with the Palestinians?

Peace with Palestinians would be possible without some kind of agreement on dividing Jerusalem?

The Swedish proposal to recognize "East Jerusalem" as capital of Palestine prior to any peace agreement -- but nothing about "West Jerusalem" as Israel's capital -- will win support in Israel for the European Union as honest broker in peace talks?

Either side has leaders ready, willing, and able to sign a peace agreement the other side will also sign?

Israel can have peace with the Arabs and retain the West Bank and Golan Heights?

The hundreds-for-one prisoner swap to bring home Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit won't motivate more kidnappings?

Does anyone believe...

Iran's nuclear program is purely peaceful? Or that U.S.-imposed sanctions will make a whit of difference?

We're so afraid of Cuba that we refuse to talk to it but can't wait to sit down with Iran and North Korea?

Does anyone believe...

If the Democrats offered legislation canonizing Ronald Reagan or renaming the state of Texas after George W. Bush, the Republicans would actually vote for it?

If George W. Bush had proposed trying Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and the four other al-Qaeda terrorists in New York City that any Republicans would have objected? Or that the Democrats would have said it was a good idea?

Republicans would vote for any health bill Obama would sign?

Sen. Joe Lieberman's opposition to the "public option" isn't motivated by his allegiance to his state's insurance industry?

Sarah Palin is going to Iowa just to peddle books and has no presidential ambitions?

Sen. Max Baucus recommended his girlfriend to be Montana's U.S. attorney strictly because she is "highly qualified"?

Sen. John McCain meant it when he said Sarah Palin was ready to take over the presidency on day one?

President Obama would be getting the Nobel Peace Prize if his predecessor weren't George W. Bush?

The White House gatecrashers actually thought they were invited to the state dinner?

Jews vote overwhelmingly Democratic because they don't understand what the Republican party is all about, which is what groups like the Republican Jewish Coalition claim?

Norman Podhoretz was correct in saying Republican positions on gay rights, abortion, school prayer, gun control, and assisted suicide best reflect "Jewish values"?

Does anyone believe...

Tiger Woods will get a husband-of-the-year award?

Latkes and their oil won't also last in our stomachs for eight days?

May all your candles burn brightly and all your latkes and sufganiyot (doughnuts) be calorie-free. And keep hoping for miracles. Hag sameach.

Douglas Bloomfield is the former chief lobbyist for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.