However, the incompetence of the Olmert government is not just futile, it's extremely dangerous. Trusting the good faith of Fatah / Abu Mazzen is like a frog trusting the good faith of a scorpion who begs to cross the river on the frog's back, explaining that he won't sting the frog because if he did they would both drown.... Don't trust a self-proclaimed scorpion, Mr. Incompetent Frog Olmert!!!!

Does the fact that the Palestinians have never governed Palestine mean that they never should? Its clear to everyone that Palestinians have internal conflicts and their processes pertaining to law and order are very different to ours. Wouldn't it be better to give them a place where they can deal with one another vs. us having to deal with them?

You say we are better off not being there but you don't say why. And your dad never said, either.

Keep saying what needs to be said, even though as usual the leftists elites will dismiss this talk as "rightist extremism."

"it is also no coincidence that for the almost 20 years that had elapsed between the War of Independence and the Six Day War, no such state was established in Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip." That is right, but y? BECAUSE JORDAN'S KING ABDULLAH ANEXED THE WEST BANK! I thout that Arabs alone don't read, but found that the "creme de la creme" in Israel are worst!

Stillreading from the same old script areyou? I thought you guys got a new one at the begining off each month. This is 3rd July,lad..better check your inbox for the new one.

What Gilad's father did or didn't do has no bearing on what Gilad does. Gilad usually gets straight to the point without any spin,he says what everyone already knows,but just don't the guts to admit it.He cuts through the fog that has hovered over this issue,since ever.

Fred, you are a liar. Nothing in your rant is true and the only question I have is whether your lies are delusions due to lack of contact with reality or whether you are a run-of-the-mill pathological liar.

The author has it half right. At the present time, both the Israeli and American administration are living in la-la land if they think that peace is possible with Abbas ane his Fatah and Al Aqsa terrorists. While Israel is expected to release terrorists in order to increase the prestige of Abbas, he promises nothing and nothing and that is probably the outcome based on his past refusal to try to stop the violence against Israel. Besides, Ashkenazi predicted a concilliation between Hamas and Fatah. I do not understand the author's defense of the Gaza pullout. Nothing but bad has happened since Israel's withdrawal and there is no hope for that evil land.

I agree that a true peace is futile with the Palestinians, as it will be breached immediately, but what should Israel do? Israel needs to rid itself of the vast majority of this hostile population. That is why Israel pulled out of Gaza. It was untenable to have 8500 Jews in a sea of Muslims. Israel will keep the major settlements and they will be incorporated into the state of Israel. But Israel will eventually get out of 92% of so called West Bank, and the Arab suburbs of East Jerusalem, as well as the Arab Triangle. Israel should hold onto the Golan forever, as the demographic threat is non existent, and the strategic benefits outweigh the negatives. The most important thing is to safeguard Israel as a Jewish State. Will there be peace? I don't think so. But Israel will be better off without them.

he taught you well.

Mr Hafez, two simple questions: During Jordan's rule of the West Bank (1948-1967) did the Palestians in the West Bank SAY THAT THEY WANTED A STATE? Did they conduct terrorism against the Jordanians so that they could establish a state?

As Gilad Sharon rightly admits, there is no sense in making peace with the Palestinians, because they have no interest in giving us peace, but they are as unwilling to give us peace with an agreement as they are unwilling to give it to us without an greement, hence leaving Gaza without a treaty has given us the same results that Sharon rightly points out we would have gotten had we left Gaza with a treaty; no peace. Since, however, Mr. Sharon, just like his father and he rest of Kadima barely acknowledge that Israel has a right to exist at all, they see themselves as being in no position to force peace out of the Palestinians. And since the Kadima people know that the Palestinians won't give him "peace and calm" through negotiations and don't have the guts to force peace and calm out of them, that leaves them with one option, to beg the Palestinians or the "International community" for it. The utter and obvious futility of this approach would make it commical if it didn't lead to the deaths of innocent Israelis and to the eventual destruction of the State of Israel.

Gilad you state: "It is no coincidence that a Palestinian state was never established prior to Israel's foundation; " This is wrong. Jordan was established as an independent Arab State in 77% of Palestine in 1945 and not one Jew lived there as the British had forbidden Jews in that part of Palestine. Even your own Dad declared: The Palestinians alrady have a state. Its name is Jordan" Seems he knows his history and geography better than you do, This is a very relevant consideration as the Arabs seek yet another State in the remaining 23% of historic Palestine.

It was Hussein not Abdullah otherwise you are correct.

its certainly hard to find evidence of palestinian nationalism before 1917...

First of all, keep Arik out of this. He's in a coma. No one has to apologize for his loyalty to Israel. It needs none. As far as Olmert, and Kadima, they are caught in a squeeze from all sides., the US, the UN, the EU, the PALs, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Iran, etc. Israel makes it difficult on itself too. This 100 yr old conflict just won't go away, no matter what Israel does (or doesn't do). Arafat said it right. Why should the PALs give one inch..they have the time, people, support, financing..time is on their side? Israel is between a rock and a hard place (Med./Jordan). All it can do is secure it's green line (or some other border as best it can). It can pick it's spots and hit back, as in Lebanon. It must become a garrison state once and for all. It needs a Constitution to define itself. It should toughen it's sedition laws against those who undermine it's security. It should bring in capital punishment..to stop these nonsensical "deals" with Hamas, etc. A 12.00 hangmans' noose would do just fine. Israel is too political for it's won good..I ask, what is it's purpose anyway? Gilad is basically correct. Dealing with the PAls through weekness hoping for a miracle..well, it won't happen, not in this lifetime.

To Aaron: It makes no difference. Look, the doctor who tried to bomb London, is a Jordanian of "Palestinian origin", according to the media. Does not that say it all? Jordan is Palestine..so, the doc is a Jordanian, the offspring of Arabs who lived in the British Mandate. The Arabs cannot have it both ways, denying that Israel was part of Palestine, yet accepting that Jordan was. It's mutually exclusive. Those so-called refugees are not Palestinians..they are Arabs who lived in the British Mandate, taken from Turkey after WW1. But the world doesn't give a hoot about definitions. or legalese. Call them anything..call them pigeons, geese, parakeets, who cares? All Israel should care about is it's security. If Fatah and Hamas fight and kill one another, why cry over it? However, a Hamastan in the Strip is no good for Israel...so, take them out ASAP and stop the silliness of pretending to care about the oh so innocent civilians. (Who would eat Israelis alive in a NY minute).

By introducing Gilad Sharon, as "son of former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon", I thought I'm reading a "third world country" newsletter! Doesn't he has a job? Is his whole job in life = Son of former Prime Minister? I believe Sharon did understand the conflict in the end, even corrupt, cause even some pragmatism existed in his mind, he is responsible for the sedrot rockets today, cause he didn't agree with Palestinians in Gaza. Now, his son, needs experience to forget about corruption and learn some politics, rather than repeat Zionist + nationalist Arab "out-dated" crab!

The basic theme of Gilad Sharon's article is true. It is poor judgment to criticize details or use it to reargue the Gaza pullout. There are too many Israeli leaders who blind themselves to obvious facts.

If you're going to use a phony name, try coming up with one that doesn't sound quite so asinine...although it probably isn't nearly as asinine as your comment.

in 1920, 22, 29, 36-39, 47-67? Occupation? Gaza an "open air concentration camp", may I recommend you read up on concentration camps - pick you choice of Nazi ones or british in SA - and see if you can spot the difference. But sorry I forgot, reality has no impact on you, you prefer self-righteous lies.

Refreshing to see a realist who writes well. Farmers tend to be realists depending on the depth of their soil. This conclusion does not mean peace is dead. It only means peace will not arrive out of idealism or the pocket of fat cat European financers of Peace Now. It will arrive when the Hatfields and McCoy's move to Kalifornia and not come back.

Hardnosed realism. I am sick of people having visions. Let's be realistic

Much credit to Gilad Sharon for his blunt candor. Weary indeed of the endless Leftist grunting & sniveling that turns it's face away from the Palestinian pathology and daily rockets attacks.

Arik Sharon was (may he receive Refuah Shelemah) a brilliant military officer, strategist, politician, and statesman. Unfortunately he lost the Battle of Shwarma. His only major mistake was appointing Olmert. It will probably take years for people to understand the brilliance of his Disengagement strategy. First of all the cost to protect Israelis in a hostile environment were very high and the motivation for a front line against an Egyptian assault was no longer valid. Furthermore, removing potential Israeli targets from Gaza provided IDF with greater maneuverability and less vulnerability. Finally, the Disengagement set the trap for Hamas to attempt its coup and commit national suicide. EU/USA/Israel are providing millions to Fatah to pay salaries and build infrastructure. Granted it goes against the theme of the article but one must hope that the PALs would finally learn and capitalize on what might just be their last chance if not their best chance to do something positive in building their economy, raise the quality of life, and impact the Arab public away from war and terror. Had they channeled their energies and resources into positive constructive actions like Israel has done, who knows what they might have achieved and what the quality of life might be for both Israelis and PALs. In the meantime, HAMAS and Gaza are sinking rapidly with the highly effective IDF incursions, Arab states dumping Haniyeh, border closings, Egyptian/Israeli clamp down of borders, etc. The next elections in Gaza will be very interesting to see if Gazans learned their lesson. In the meantime Gaza is off the negotiating table as a stumbling block. Haniyeh and Gaza are irrelevant to the process. While I agree with what Gilad writes and his candor, Jews and Israelis must never give up hope for one day living in peace as written by Yeshaiyahu (Isaiah) "And they shall beat their swords into plowshares". Our national anthem is Hatikva. Our Children are our hope. We must proceed with the wisdom of Gilad and his father but always aspire for peace. Even Aharon who made the Golden Calf is remembered as "Rodef Shalom" - pursuer of peace - and not cursed for making the Golden Calf. We say Shalom when meet and part. With all the appropriate cautions that Gilad cites, let "Shalom" not lose it meaning and let us always try to aspire for peace.