1) What is “peace with justice”?? Justice is something a person is so sure is right and just, he or she will fight for or even go to war for. Peace is something both sides are willing to make painful concessions for, concessions that are painful, because they are deeply convinced they are just. So how do reconcile the two? 2) What is “new humanity” ?? A new approach for solving the world’s problems, or a new extremist ideology that tries to redesign humanity in it’s own image, as was the case with Marxism, Nazism, the ‘white man’s burden’ nonsense, and other philosophies that slaughtered millions. Sorry Ray to rain down pessimism on you, but its to convince the skeptics, and I am a skeptic. As I see it the only way peace can be achieved is when each side, nationality, will be the master of its own fate, self-ruled and sovereign, with equal access to the same institute of power, those of the state. Each in a state of their own, taking their places as equals among the nations of the world as Ben – Gurion had said. And that means acknowledging the other identity, accepting it and not seen the very existence of the other as an insult, as do many Palestinians see Israel and the extreme Israeli right wing sees the Palestinians. That is how I see it Ray, if you see it differently; I’m more then willing to listen.

There will never be peace between the Jews and the Palestinians until the Palestinians can vote without fear. Then the average Palestinian, who wants to live in peace and take care of his family, and who is willing to make compromises, will be heard. Until then the terrorists rule, and all of the "convergence" in the world won't make a bit of difference.

When you write positive columns that don't challenge the extremes, no one writes. So, I thought I should write to say I enjoy your columns, including the ones I disagree with. It seems that even when I disagree with you, it is a disagreement we can live with. Shalom from Israel

Thanks BOaz for bringing up some good points ... obviously, it is hard to have a dialogue on even a great web site like this one ... maybe I might check with the editors and do an onlien chat or discussion with readers one day ... But I think you raise some good points. The key is to be sensitive to the needs of those we oppose and understand them ... the only way to do that is through contact ... like this web page ... we listen, read, hear and even shout back ... but it is a dialogue between people who might not otherwise have a dialogue ... So I learn many things, and I hope others might learn, too. New Humanity is about bringing all good groups who support peace and justice and fairness and who oppose bigotry, racism, violence etc ... I liked what I saw. It was my first conference and will probably attend more. The point is that we can only listen to what people say and do our best to understand and take what they have to offer at face value, rather than always putting what others say into a filter that distorts it to be more at our comfort level Anyway, thanks for writing when you agree or when you disagree ... Shalam ... which someone told me means "whole" in Hebrew ... I thought it just a "convergence" of Shalom and Salam :) Ray Hanania

However, I remain skeptic, but not resentful. My duty as someone who believes in the value of peace is to listen; no matter how deep my skepticism is. And it is not just 5 years of violence that made it so deep, it is also dialogues in the web, and elsewhere that added to it – a lot. I do hope something good will come out of this enterprise, no matter how indirectly it might be. Your articles here have thought me to respect you, and that is in spite of deep disagreements. As for Hebrew, “whole” is “Shalem” not “Shalam” But in cases like this I always think of the word “Savlanut” which is Hebrew for patience. Its root is Sa. Va. L., which is Hebrew for suffered and endured. And the patience needed to reach peace must endure a lot of sufferings. From harm, to insult, to differences. Be well.

Boaz said that "Justice is something a person is so sure is right and just, he or she will fight for or even go to war for." Wrong Boaz. Justice is the establishment or determination of rights according to the rules of law where everyone is treated as an equal party. That's what any peaceful solution needs to be based on, however, Israel does not adhere to any rule of law other than its own.

You wrote “Justice is the establishment or determination of rights according to the rules of law where everyone is treated as an equal party.” And that is Israel, where there is an equal voice equal vote for every person, Jew or Arab. Second, what you stated is a belief system, are you willing to fight for this?

Justice? Barak offers them almost every little thing that they want - they refuse What happens right after that - another intifada Thats justice for you Get your head out the clouds and come down to gound level. This is the reality of negotiation: 1). deal with the REAL ISSUES, not some abstract concept of justice 2). solutions need to be practical and workable, not up in the air and abstract 3). BOTH sides need to reciprocate 4). BOTH sides need to give something up 5).BOTH sides need to understand that not EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEIR DEMANDS will be met This is what is supposed to happen because its the only way negotiation will work. What actually happens here: 1). We offer them lots of different alternatives but nothing satisfies them (even Barak couldnt satisfy them) 2). They feel that they are entitled to have EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEIR DEMANDS met 3). They dont feel the need to reciprocate in any shape or form 4). They genuinely feel that violence is the correct path - just look at speachs by Abas and Qorei and Dahlan praising the ''suicide martyrs'' Peace requires BOTH sides to have an open mind - they dont, we do Peace requires give and take - right now we try different ways of giving and we also take, but all they do is take and give nothing in return There is no logical rational reason why they are entitled by default to everything they demand. I negotiate deals between companies everyday. In all my working years I have never seen the kind of attitude the palestinians have - and I have dealt with arabs and still deal with them -Lebanese, Saudis and Omanis - and none of them have this kind of ''negotiation is a one way street that should only work in our favour'' attitude. So its not cultural It is however, just plain stupid!

I mean a viable independent state within the borders of 1967 and they refused it? Don't take me wrong i'm just asking the question.

A viable Palestinian state with territorial continuity was offered to Arafat. There were some regions to be maintained TEMPORARLY under Israel’s security control for security reasons only, but even they did not prevent territorial continuity. And it was TEMPORARY. But Arafat refused. He refused joint sovereignty on the Temple Mount, refused to give up the right of return, which the territorial demand for the entire land, and refused to declare the struggle, the war – over.

You said:” however, Israel does not adhere to any rule of law other than its own.” That’s passing judgment, taking side in a conflict. There is no love in your words; there is no peace in them either. You wonna take side? By all means – do so. You are entitled to, but don’t call it peace, that will by lying. And if anyone wants to know why I’m skeptic, Lois D. is your answer.

Lois is right- and bravo to her for bothering with you idiots- Israel does not adhere to any rule of law other than its own.: Wasting lives and underminng peace by yaking on about about us and them and looking for ways to insult the natives of the land half of of the IDF soldiers killed this past year commited suicide- wake up Israel something is seriously wrong- and the problem is not the Palestiinians

Oh my youre so high and mighty arent you? So lets examine your stirling american track record of late shall we: 1).carpet bomb civilians in afghanistan, iraq and kosovo and call it ''collateral damage'' 2). President orders his spooks to spy on his own people without proper authority 3). bully the chinese into revaluing their currency because it doesnt suit you and g-d forbid they should have a competitive advantage over you 4).Be very concerned with spreading ''democracy and freedom'' on the one hand, and on the other hand watch people die in sudan while they get slaughtered and give them nothing but lipservice Get a grip reneck. Who do you think taught your famous marines and seals how to fight urban warfare? We did. Youre bodybags pile up higher every damn day If you had no assistance from others the pile would be much higher. Learn to recognize who your friends are. Otherwise you may find yourself one day in a sticky situation and youll have no one to watch you back and help you. You alienate yourselves with your arrogance and patronizing manner and you dont even see it.Amazing.

Calling your bluff is yakking? Now, peace is also about listening, even to real yakking. Since you’ve demonstrated that you are about preaching and not listening…well, that shows your bluff. As for:” half of the IDF soldiers killed this past year committed suicide” ?? Lets assume this ridicules statement is true, could it be because the overall number of Israeli soldiers killed (and civilians) is at its lowest in the past 5 years? And the only rule we listen to is whatever keeps our women and children alive. Preferably peace, much preferably – but if need be – war, only and only if need be. Peace Rebecca is our duty to our families - not to you. And one more thing Rebecca:” insult the natives of the land”? Interesting choice of words, ‘insult’; I do not recall Native Americans complaining about insult, could it be because this ‘insult’ is not of a native population but that of a Sunni hegemony, insulted by a bunch of Jews, breaking their dihami and taking their fate in their own hands? And #13 her kind hate Bush just as much as they hate us.

Dcember 12, 2005 http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/657996.html Fewer officers to be armed as suicide becomes IDF's top killer iidiot ! you don't even care about Israel's own children- all you want to do is bash America ! Bashing Palestinians is just practice for more to come as Zionists perfect the art of bigotry and hate -

maybe you should relocate back to the UK so that the Native Americans can have their country back maybe us and the palestinians should leave too - we go back to mesopotamia, and the palestinians go back to saudi, and then we can reserect the canaanites because this really belonged to them before anyone else had it whats your point? Why dont you use your arrogant, patronizing american brain to fix the problems in your own country (and you have many) before you dictate to others and offer your words of profound wisdom

“Overall, the number of total deaths in the IDF in 2005 is lower than in previous years,” 66 soldiers died this year? We had wars where hundreds died in a few days. If our army has to worry more the kind of death civilians are facing, such as suicides and traffic accidents, rather then operations; I say we’re in a good shape.