Israeli premier Ehud Barak has called his political opponent, Mr Ariel Sharon, a warmonger whose policies will isolate the country.
The move by Mr Barak is being seen as a desperate election offensive against his hardline rival whom he trails in the polls ahead of Tuesday's vote.
In television appearances last night Mr Barak tried to convince the Israelis that their true choice in the presidential ballot on February 6th was not between personalities, but between the possibility of peace and a continuing, bloody conflict.
"The real issue now is the feeling of the citizens who are telling me, Ehud, we feel like suckers, we feel that our national pride is hurt," he said. "We are not suckers, we are giving it to them in a harsher way than what the public knows, to all those who hurt us."
Mr Barak also reiterated his favourite message of separation from the Palestinians, be it through a peace agreement or unilateral, if gradual, Israeli steps.
"True national pride is the ability to make decisions, to have the strength to...Cut ourselves away from this almost cancerous connection to the Palestinians and achieve a separation. If possible, with an agreement, if not possible - without an agreement," Mr Barak said.
But such rhetoric, against the background of bloodshed, is apparently failing to win Barak more voter support.
One poll yesterday indicated that 56 per cent of Israelis who planned to vote favoured Sharon, and 35 per cent backed Barak.
Another showed Sharon winning 51 per cent of the vote and Barak 34 per cent and a third poll gave Sharon 50 per cent of the vote to Barak's 30 per cent. The polls' margin of error varied from 2.8 to 4 per cent.
Meanwhile a Palestinian died today five days after being shot in the head by Israeli soldiers, a Palestinian hospital source said.
Abdullah Mahmud Abu Kirsh, 21, died at al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, where he was transported after being injured Monday at the Karni crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip, the source said. AP/Reuters