terrorism didn't increase until Israel responded to Intifada demonstrations with lethal violence. 140 Palestinians were killed before the first suicide bombing.

it could be that until Arafat came to Gaza with his army, the Fatah and Hamas were incapable of carrying out such attacks as they had no guns, no explosives, no training grounds and many Arab heros worked together with the IDF to prevent the murder of Jewish children? Do remember that during the first Intifada more than 1000 Arabs were murdered by PLO forces for the crime of preventing terror?

With a nickname like yours (Apartheid) it is no wonder that you spill so much stupidity - whether you are or are NOT from the US (and I seriously doubt that). "terrorism did not increase until Israel responded to the first intifada" Do you hear what you're saying? First you agree that what the Palestinians do is terrorism (and you are right of course) and then you also say that Israel only RESPONDED to the Palestinian indifada. Sorry to say that Paris did not tolerate riots, LA did not tolerate them and nobody should expect us to tolerate riots which endanger our citizens and threaten their lives. And don't tell me that 140 Pals died before terror kicked in - the intifada was terror in disguise - just as the October 2000 incitement of Israeli Arabs was supposed to be! The first intifada (if you want to go back that far - and I DO NOT care to ge backl as far as you want BTW) started as carefully orchestrated violent riots at several points at the same time by the forefathers of the current day terrorism, who saw that as a first step of anihilating Israel. You should listen to what THEY say from time to time before you formulate your rants on the net. THANK YOU Apartheid! You prove our point so doyourself a favor and don't humliate yourself in public. You are doing your Leftist (or Palestinian) gang a disservice. And every once in a while the disinformation "doctors" of the Left and their Islamic acolytes chose a "powerful word" and use it indiscriminately and irrelevantly trying to stick it to Israel - "racism" did not catch and "apartheid" will fail too. BTW, what kind of apartheid do you support? The one that was abolished in South Africa or the one which is rampant these days against non-Muslims in such heavens like Saudi Arabia and Iran or is it the one against non-communists in Cuba and lately in Venezuela? If you hint that there is apartheid in Israel you should have your brains checked. Otherwise how can you explain the sudden urge of Arabs returning to East Jerusalem in order not to lose their Israeli ID, or the refusal of Israeli Arabs in Umm Al Fahm to be "returned" to Palestinian rule - not by transfer mind you - but by a simple border move in FAVOR of the Palestinians? How can you explain that Arabic is an official language in Israel and put in practice in countless occasions publicly and officially. As a matter of fact, Israel is almost suicidal in allowing openly anti-Israeli Arab Members of Parliamet to participate in the Israeli political arena despite their repeated acts of treason, meetings with heads of enemy state which are officially still at war with Israel, and rabid incitement to terror? Now sir, this does not sound like Apartheid to me - it sounds like Democracy taken to extreme! "Apartheid", your insight into the internal Israeli issues and ME at large is superficial, malicious and dishonest. Do us all a favor and excuse us of your presence or rants.

"Unholy Alliance" - Radical Islam and the American Left. ISBN 0-89526-076-X "Intellectual Morons" - How ideology makes smart people fall for stupid ideas. ISBN-13: 978-1-4000-5356-8 "The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam" ISBN 0-89526-013-1 "BIAS" - Hom the Media Distort the News ISBN 0--6-052084-1 And last but not least: "The West's Last Chance" ISBN 0-89626-015-8 You may not like what it's written in there but let's face it - you've never honestly hoped anyway that you can lie forever and dupe everybody, right? But I guess that you are in a hurry to the next political meeting with a Professor or Doctor who has been certified as "suitable" and "non-political" - preferrably one from the Islam Studies Cathedra of your favorite Left-infested campus. There is nothing better than an Israel bashing session and plotting the next terror attack...

...one can always find statistics which, if massaged the right way, can support even an asinine claim like Dr. Sherman's. Under his argument, Olmert must be the best PM EVER! Because Israel's growth rates have been high during his tenure. For the first time, Israel did not post an accounts deficit. Warren Buffett just dropped billions of dollars into the country, and companies like Google are expanding their R&D centers. Of course, I'm waiting to see how Sherman can explain this was all due to the enlightened polices of the Shamir government. The peace process has normalized Israel's relations with the world as a whole, even when steps with the Palestinians have been rocky. This is of course not the ONLY reason Israel's economy has done well, but it has given the country a diplomatic, economic, and cultural presence in the world that is not easily reversible (and has not been reversed) even when relations with the Palestinians have soured. Dr. Sherman's yes men are also laughably inconsistent. Danny, I'm amazed how you can say "Post 1967, the entire Eastern Block cut off relations. " and then, one sentence later, maintain that "Israel's highest international standing was in the immediate aftermath of 1967 and has been going downhill since 1977." In the 50s through the 70s, Israel had a benign public image as the plucky underdog. But that did not translate into high international standing. Many countries, and not just the Arab states, refused to recognize the country. Multinational corporations took the Arab boycott seriously and would not do business with Israel. The economy was an absolute basket case, with poor growth and hyperinflation. And militarily, Israel had won several wars but was constantly under siege from several hostile neighbors. Today, there is a small segment of both the left AND the right which is hostile to Israel (far left radicals, and paleoconservative type reactionaries). Nevertheless, outside the Arab and Muslim world Israel is unanimously accepted and recognized, the economy is doing well, and although hostilities exist, it is nothing like the full fledged war that Israel previously endured (and when it's actual existence was an iffy proposition). The peace process has, in part, helped solidified Israel's standing. Instead of looking at the facts over time, Dr. Sherman dishonestly looks at a few years of GDP in isolation and measures it against one facet of the process, the Oslo accords. Finally, it should be noted that Dr. Sherman does not actually cite who he claims on the left is "dishonest." He just creates a bunch of straw men and claims that the left, collectively, endorses these principles. Please Ynet, if you are going to print right wing ideologues, at least put some quality control in place. This column was nothing more than a rant. (Although I think it is pretty cool that the author decides to participate in talkback).

When Joshua, Since you have been reduced to name calling, I take it you have run out of arguments—which were never really much in evidence before either. But just for the fun of it – one more time 1. No, I would not attribute the current success directly to the Shamir government . But I am surprised that YOU don't. After all, it was you that designated Israel's participation in the Madrid Conference the source of all things good. And the decision to participate was … Shamir's . 2. The success however does validate my "asinine claim", as you put it i.e. that prosperity is not predicated on progress in the peace process 3. Straw men on the Left. Yes it is true that I don’t make specific mention of any Left figures (but neither do I do so regarding the Right – which doesn’t seem to bother you). Moreover I can't think of a single significant individual on the Left whose behavior and/or rhetoric differed substantively from what I wrote. Can you?? Or are just prone to calling any generalization, however valid, " a rant" 4. But if you want specifics, perhaps this will help. Although they clearly are not representative of the entire Left wing, three of the most prominent (some would say almost iconic) figures on the Left are Yossi Beilin , Amos Oz and Yair Lapid. Here are some pronouncements from them on the evacuation of Lebanon, the Oslo Accords, and the Disengagement – either just prior to, or just after, these events. I believe these quotes speak volumes for their political insight and/or integrity (or lack thereof) Oz on Lebanon: The minute we leave south Lebanon we will have to erase the word Hezbollah from our vocabulary, because the whole idea of the State of Israel versus Hezbollah was sheer folly from the outset. It most certainly will no longer be relevant when Israel returns to her internationally recognized northern border. Amos Oz in "Try a Little Tenderness" (Interview) Ha'aretz, March 17, 2000 Beilin ofnOslo: …the ultimate test of this agreement will be a test of blood… If it becomes clear that they (the Palestinians) cannot overcome terror - this will be temporary accord and…we will have no choice but abrogate it...And if there is no choice, the IDF will return to the places which it is about to leave in the upcoming months (sic). Yossi Beilin on the Oslo Accords, Maariv 26-11-1993 Lapid on Disengagment : Disengagement … is our last chance to live normal lives Yair Lapid, Yediot Aharonot 24.6.05 . [He of course does not live in S'derot –MS] Would an embarrassed OOOPS be in order???? 5. I could of course go on and on but we have to draw the line some where

The fact that Yossi Beilin insisted on coming to an agreement with the Palestinians before evacuating Gaza makes him right wing and Ariel Sharon left wing. Good going Sherman. I do agree however that the Oslo process has proven to be a shambles. There are probably a number of fundamental reasons why. Above all I believe It was the treacherous personality of Yasser Arafat that caused Oslo to fail. However even Sherman's glorious Right Wing didn't have the guts to expel Arafat and his cohorts when in power - a.k.a Bibi Netanyahu.

...I don't paint governments or sides with broad brushes. I think the Madrid Conference was a decent attempt to start the process of negotiations for peace. Given that Shamir admitted that he was really just trying to stall for time, I can't think too highly of him. Nevertheless it did pave the way for others that were serious about peace. As for the three quotes you provide, only Oz's is really completely off the mark. Nevertheless, do you really think that Israel should have REMAINED in Lebanon? Beilin essentially says that, if the PNA can't abide by its agreements, then Israel will have to return into the territories, as it has done on occasion. It hasn't remained because it realizes that actually reoccupying and administering the territories isn't good for the country. As for Lapid, there were Qassams being launched at Sderot before the disengagement and after. There was absolutely no value to putting troops in harms way to guard settlements in Gaza, which everyone with half a brain knows will have to be Palestinian as part of any final agreement anyway. The reason Israeli governments have agreed to measures such as Oslo or the disengagement is because quite simply the status quo was unsustainable. When Sharon proposed disengagement, it wasn't because he turned soft and appeasement oriented overnight, it's because he realized that there was nothing else to do. The only other person proposing something different was Avignor Lieberman with his idiotic proposal to bomb the Aswan Dam. Great populist rhetoric but not a serious proposal.

the first death of the second intifada was an Israeli border policeman stabbed by his PA "partner"

was appalled at the violence unleashed on Palestinian demonstrators protesting Ariel Sharon's march around the "Temple Mount." Most civilized nations don't kill demonstrators or even rioters if they can avoid it. How many Haredi or Settler rioters have the Israeli authorities killed lately. Both the first and seccond Intifadas erupted spontaneously. Go read a book. According to an article in Haaretz last year, the Israeli interrogators of Intifada prisoners concluded that no one in a position of authority had a clue that an Intifada was about to break out. Also see the Mitchel Report. To see Apartheid in action, just take a drive through the Apatheid wall on an Israli only road. Take a look at the long lines of civilians waiting at checkpoints under the surveillance of armed guards. Benjamin Tutu seemed to think conditions in the West Bank resembled arpartheid. He would know better than I. The efforts of Israelis to create "truth " and "facts" by constant repetion in the media is superficial, malicious and dishonest.

although I am a professor of economics I cannot improve on what Sherman and Doc have already done on that subject. Istead I remind the readers that a main theme of the article was the "intelectual inability of the Right" in Israel. First of all there is barely any real "Right" in Israel. The almost total control the Left has had for a very long time in the areas of culture and education have much to do with it. Also it is easier io organize youth movements and the like for totalitarian causes. It will take a long time to counter that situation.Sherman's article is one of the necessary steps. But there are urgent actions that are needed now even before the coherent functional ideoligy and organization is perfected. For example, I am often asked what candidate does the "Right" have for the next PM. Very difficult to answer. Clearly, we should not rule out persons like Yaalon who, on his own power, is thinking more and more like us. I am sure the readers have good ideas too. After all, you dont want to leave your future in the hands of Peretz and his ilk..

He was not the first fatality. Five Palestinians were shot and killed while 200 were wounded by gunfire that day. The next day the entire world watched in horror as the Israelis shot Mohammedal-Durrah, aged 12, in his father's arms. But that was just a minor setback for the Israeli media machine.

The Palestinians don't use violence until violence is used against them. This is also true about the "youths" in France in those Paris "suburbs," as French infidels continue to occupy France. In fact, Muslims only use violence in defense--for example, the defensive attacks on the World Trade Center (the second of which being the most famous). Also, in France we defensively mutilated and killed that French Jooo. And, we defensively behead Christians in Africa. And, yes, we defensively hold slaves. Stop oppressing us Muslims.

That was a different border policeman, the one I am talking about was killed 27/10/2000, wierdly enough BEFORE Sharon's visit "spontaneously sparked" the intifada. http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Terrorism-+Obstacle+to+Peace/Memorial/2000/Sgt+David+Biri.htm The one you were talking about was indeed shot and was shot the same day as the other casualties you mention.

You write: " ...probably too dumb to remember THAT TERRORISM DIDN'T INCREASE UNTIL ISRAEL RESPONDED to Intifada demonstrations with lethal violence. 140 Palestinians were killed before the FIRST SUICIDE BOMBING. " (My Emphasis) Well I suggest you check your facts… and memory: Rise in terror: In the first three years after Oslo (1994-96) the were same number of Israeli deaths due to Palestinian terror as there were during THE ENTIRE DECADE AND A HALF preceding Oslo (1978-92), In 1993 itself, in the 9 months prior to Oslo (Jan-Sept) the number of deaths WAS LESS AND HALF that in the three months subsequent to Oslo (Oct-Dec). Wouldn't you consider that a rise ??? First Suicide: The attempts to carry out suicide attacks began almost immediately after the Oslo Agreements . The first successful one was in Apr 13 1994, at the Hadera Bus Station Well I suggest you check your facts… and memory. Or have I said that before??

I wrote "In 1993 itself, in the 9 months prior to Oslo (Jan-Sept) the number of deaths WAS LESS AND HALF that in the three months subsequent to Oslo (Oct-Dec). " That should be : ... MONTHLY AVERAGE number of deaths WAS LESS .... Apologies

I commented on #42's lie about Durrah, pointing out that it was not only a lie, but extensively explored as part of "Pallywood." My TB was deleted. Or maybe it's just personal, as I of course penned #43 immediately before I posted my deleted TB.

It would be difficult to refute one word of Martin Sherman's excellent article. Israel's left contradicts itself endlessly to promote it's disastrous policies of appeasement and retreat. In fact, it is a challenge to find one instance when Israel's left was correct about any major issue. Israel's left has no value except as a reverse barometer. One can't go far wrong by doing the reverse of what the left urges. Sherman is also correct that Israel's right is guilty of failure to capitalize on the left's record of total dishonesty and incompetence. Israel desperately needs a confident fighting nationalist right to lead the nation.

Those of you from the US, until you live here please Shut Up.

1. If Ynet doesn't wish comments from the USA, that would respectfully be honored; but I know of no such restriction. 2. Many billions of tax dollars from the USA have been poured into Israel with unwavering support. 3. Many billions from here flow into your economy. 4. & you know those neat, lethal IAF jets & helicopters that ever-protect your right to comment here? I do believe those are from the United States of America. 5. I know of no country that perpetually proves- in deed- that they care about Israel more than we do. 6.. Hmmmmm, think maybe we have the right to add an opinion here occasionally? (with your royal permission, of course)

very sour foreign dependent. Israeli pockets are of such depth that we here in the US never have been able to fill them up to the top with enough gold & aid. But does that mean we ever stop trying?