It's only the parties who can make peace. This is one of the few things that Bush didn't frick up. If the US had the power to make a peace deal they would have done so before. The most the US can do is prod, cajole hold out some carrots etc. For consideration, Josef Cohen

Peace (whatever that over-used word means) is not like something on the horizen which retreats as you come closer. This supposed "peace" is like the mirage in a desert, an illusion that does not really exist. But the illusion has become a delusion. And why call post-9/11 a "holy war on terrorism"" - I have news for you, Mr Barnea - the holy war is being directed against us, against the whole West. It's called Jihad, in case you have not heard the term. You seem to criticise Bush for wanting to distance himself from our nasty conflict but perhaps this is a wise move - perhaps our conflict has no solution, a position which history seems to justify. Those who seek "salvation" should perhaps spend more time in prayer, not writing political analysis.

I read with incredulity the words that Barnea wrote in this piece: "the two men currently heading the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas and Salim Fayyad, oppose terror wholeheartedly and are refraining from terror and incitement..." Can he possibly believe this? Oppose terror wholeheartedly? Abbas gives shelter to the Al Aksa Brigades, which count him as their leader -- the Brigades who are terrorists and take money and orders from Iran. Refraining from incitement? Has Barnea checked the horrendously inciteful PA textbooks lately? Textbooks produced since Abbas took the presidency that call for holy jihad and mark Israel as illegitimate. I guess when the truth is unpalatable it's easier to believe the lies.

I agree with all three articles preceeding this one. There is really nothing more that I can add except the following: Bush tried to change the Mid-East environment by introducing democracy. He took Sharansky's book to heart (A case for Democracy) and tried to apply it to the Mid-East nations. Unfortunately it did not work. He invoked the ancient Jewish tenet "Fear of Failure is a Sin," but to no avail. For this, I will always honor my president and provide him with high marks. Highest regards, George Haas, Past Commander, Jewish War Veterans, Post 580, New Orleans, LA

"I will make Jerusalem a cup of TREMBLING.............."

Your editorial is right on point. Its a sign of the times. The neo-cons are packing up and going back to their bunkers, failed is their attempt to reshape the region in their vision and leaving nothing but debrie in the background.

Are you so blind that you can't see that Bush is trying to divide the Land? How much of Eretz Israel needs to pass into the hands of the enemy before people like you wake up? Perhaps a good Torah study would open your eyes. Perhaps you should pay heed to the Prophets of Israel. Divide the land and you will come to judgment. You should be praying for the peace of Jerusalem.

I for one have not forgotten that the Palestinian people "elected" Hamas to be their leader. In a democratic election the majority spoke and decided that they Hamas was their choice. What did Abbas do? With the aid of a foreign country he staged a bloody coup to topple the democratically elected government. Even their own Constitution stated that no one can remove the government during a declare emergency. Despite Palestinian law he betrayed his country and countrymen by unlawfully removing the majority government. For the US, Israel and any other country to support Abbas is a savage attack against democracy.

Yes every one should read the TORAH & THE PROPHETS and if they don;t see what is going on ,then G-D has put blinder on them and they will be lost.; that may be to bold for this men to take in but they better open their eyes

What really wore GW, the goat herder from TX, are two things. He surrounded himself with loyal servants, Alberto Gonzalez, Condi Rice to name a couple, neo-con gangster, some of whom happen to be Jewish, you know who they are, and lousy 'teachers'. Who on earth would pick up a book written by a right wing racist nut, Sharansky, who quit Sharon's cabinet because he accused that war criminal of being "too soft" on the hapless Palestinians. There no shame bigger for the American people than have a fascist Zionist "teach" their UN-ELECTED "president' about democracy! American people have waken up and realized who their REAL enemies are. Keep watching the news, Scooter Libby is just the beginning.

Abbas is NOT refraining from incitement - as if you don't know it, he only recently called for their guns to be turned on Israelis, not each other.