[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

Yet as long as a perplexingly naive US and Israel insist on dealing with a helpless and clueless sergeant Arafat, the colonels will not cease to train, and the zombies will keep on coming.

It is good to hear from a sane islamic voice, but I am not so optimistic as you are. I do not think that there is any signifigant group of Palestinians willing to live in peace with Israel. The only choices are perpetual war, or removal of one of the parties from the area, preferably by expulsion, rather than by the alternative.

[a_Turk]

The only choices are perpetual war, or removal of one of the parties from the area

I can understand your pessimism, but cannot agree with it. Better yet, I see yours as a means to a non-equitable pseudo end. I can't see how exiling the Palis will suddenly make things better.

The peace process was going well until Arafat, influenced by Tehran thought he could bargain for Jerusalem. This was followed by Sharon's "prickery" and here we are.

Both Arafat and Sharon are like dry flowers in a history book. Big mistake to work with them, as they can bring nothing new to the table.