(CNN) -- Like Americans, Israelis begin their day by watching one of several television news shows. These highlight the pressing issues facing the country. But Israel, of course, is not just any country, but a contested and often controversial Jewish state situated in the epicenter of an overwhelmingly Muslim and constantly roiling Middle East. One would expect, then, to hear commentators on these shows discussing the latest glitch in the peace talks with the Palestinians, the recent terrorist bombing just beyond Israel's southern border with Egypt, or the revelation of more advanced rockets in the arsenal of Hezbollah in Lebanon. But the topic on Israel's leading morning show this week was none of these. The top issue, rather, was the percentage of Tel Aviv streets named for women.Michael Oren: Israel sits in a region bristling with conflict and hostile to its presenceHe says one topic stirring attention is number of streets named for women in Tel AvivIsraelis have always lived with the threat of war, and put it in perspective, he saysSupport for a two-state solution is strong in Israel today, he says
A veritable firestorm is engulfing the Middle East, and Israel's _ is just a short commute from its flash points.