Bechor, like most journalists in Israel, cannot see beyond his own nose. The reason why israel is the flavour of the month with some Muslim leaders of corrupt authoritarian governments, is because they are all being pressured by the Unites States and Eoropean countries to help save Sharon's neck within the Likud. All these move began after Bibi Netanyahu challenged Sharon' leadership. That also explains all the planned visits of foreign leaders over the next month. In effect it is a gross intereference in domestic Israeli politics by our American friends, who desparately want us to see Sharon as being very popular internationally with new allies. To hear Pakistan's Mushareff praising Sharon, and Egypt's Mubarek suddenly announcing his first visit to Israel since Rabin's assasination makes this too painfully obvious. If we give back Jerusalem, even the Pope may possibly convert to Judaism.

Our political naivety is appalling, wishful thinking has become the main Israeli religion, while the Israeli "thinkers" laugh at Rabbis such as Ovadia Yosef (and I can understand them...) they show themselves time after time to be just as "backward" and superstitious.

It's too bad this was not written and read by American Jews before American Jews helped elect our current "accidental" president again.

Fantastic piece - straight the point, and on the money. We run like small children to every Arab half smile or wink, its pathetic. Peace is good, begging for it while being hated and used is bad. Comeon Israel we should treat ourselves better. Also, in the Arab street, peace with us is not considered good. They do not think like us, at all.

yeah,blame us for everything! blame us for bush. heck, 75% of the jews voted kerry

This is an example of an Israeli analyst who is actually living, mentally, in the Middle East, takes some interest in it, and has some understanding of it. Most Israeli columnists' feet may be here in the "East" but their heads are in Belgium, France, and Switzerland, and they analyze the Middle East as if we're surrounded by peaceful, responsible parties with whom we just need to work out a few differences. If more Israelis would take the time to learn about the MIddle East and understand it better, we would not keep making terrible, costly blunders.