elements who could establish a state that would exist side by side with Israel. And it would be possible to negotiate and compromise with them. But, they either do not have the ability to control or they choose to not exercise control over the fanatical Palestinians who do not recognize Israel's right to exist, and whose ultimate goal is to destroy the state of Israel by any means necessary. If these elements wanted a state, they could have had it long ago. They don't. As long as the fanatical wing exists, and in fact is now in power, short term negotiations for cease fires or for trading of prisoners may occur. But discussions for long term stratetic solutions are impossible with those who don't recognize your right to exist. It's either stupid or utterly disingenous for Hanania to ignore this and continue to write about compromise, regardless of his speculations about the motivations by the US for the Iraqi war.

Ray seems to be pushing hard the ludicrous lie that the Palestinians are interested in peace. He knows all too well that their only goal is to eradicate Israel, by genocide, and claiming it the State of Palestine. I'm amazed that an Israeli news organization allows him to spread his venom.

Suzie has an interesting proposal that pushing peace and promoting peace is venom. I guess we now know what the real obstacle to peace and stopping violence is. I am amazed that someone can be so vicious and filled with such hatred. Amd to Neal, don't give up on peace. That is like being silent when crimes are taking place. It makes one complicit. So let's not surrender to peace and keep pushing for change and also resolve that we will both recognize our own faults, me mine and you yours. That's when compromise and real peace can be achieved, if that is your goal. If not, I understand Suzie has a large following but much room for more. Hatred has no bounds, remember. Happy Hanukkah! (to you too, Suzie) Merry Christmas! Eid Mubarak! Ray Hanania www.hanania.com

I guess I haven't missed too much while I've been on the road. Stewart, the Israeli side is presented in the media all the time. It's mainstream. Learning about the Palestinian perspective is learning about the OTHER side, the least reported news and history. So I AM learning about BOTH sides NOW! But are you? Have you tried to put yourself in the shoes of Palestinians living under Israeli occupation? How can people work for peace if they're planning for war? Isn't it time we started to imagine and visualize peace on earth ... and yes, develop trust .... definitely a challenge for most people in our fear-filled societies...... even me. Happy Holidays!

"The Israeli side is in the media all the time." What planet are you from? The Israeli side is hardly ever portrayed without bias in the American media. You are so disingenuous it is deplorable. I don't know how you can make up half the stuff you do. Go to honestreporting.com if you want to see how bad the media really is towards Israel. I'm suprised that someone with your education can be so misinformed on so many things, and so taken in by propaganda. I have spoken to Palestinians as a stated in some of my other "Talk-backs". They wish Hamas and Hizbolla would leave. They had it much better when they were able to deal with the Israeli's themselves. And, why would I want to know how the other side lives. If you call teaching your childeren hate and how to be homocide bombers living, forget it. I couldn't care less. The Pali's had every chance in the world to form a prosperous country, and they blew it. There leaders made off with most of their money. They chose Hamas and Hizbolla over peace, and now they are having a civil war. I hope those radical muslims blow each others heads off over there. Maybe then only the moderates will be left, and some progress can be made.

Stewart: As they would say in Quebec, "Tu parles et parles, mais tu ne dis rien!" At this time of year when gifts are exchanged by many people, I would like to quote Elie Wiesel: "Peace is our gift to each other." To learn about peace-making, I suggest folks check out The Earth Charter at www.earthcharter.org : "In order to build a sustainable global community, the nations of the world must renew their commitment to the United Nations, fulfill their obligations under existing international agreements, and support the implementation of Earth Charter principles with an international legally binding instrument on environment and development. "Let ours be a time remembered for the awakening of a new reverence for life, the firm resolve to achieve sustainability, the quickening of the struggle for justice and peace, and the joyful celebration of life."

Oh yeah, renew our commitments to the UN. They'll save us and the world like they saved: Rwanda, Darfur, Bosnia and Serbia, and the list goes on. Yes, you can always depend on the U.N. to talk and talk and talk and do absolutely nothing. Oh, since you are such a supporter of the U.N. I'm sure you approved of their great human rights commission filled by nations who are among the worst abusers of human rights in the world. I guess you are a big fan of the U.N. because they are so anti Israel. They never seem to condemn the Arab attrocities though. Oh, and as far as that French saying that I don't have the slightest idea what it means and couldn't care less. We bailed the French out in two wars and all we got was grief for it. Now the muslims are taking them over. A fitting ending for a nation and people so full of themselves.