The peace process is bleeding from the edges. Peace is only supportable if it is real and happens as a natural event and not because it is being enforced by the stronger Nation. The blame cuts both ways, both Palestinian and Israeli is guilty. The fanatics in Israel make others suffer for their outworn beliefs as do the fundamentalists in Palestine. The Israelis, tired as they are of conflict, cannot shrink from the difficulties that lay ahead, nor abandon the peace process that has commenced if they are to survive. It will not be easy for old enemies and the past will always be with them. Peace won't come soon enough to save many from the grief which will engulf both Jew and Arab alike. In spite of the pains to be endured, which will continue to destroy so much hope and promise for so many, life will still be lived.

No, I don't believe the Israelis are precipitating the crisis. What I was trying to point out was that there are people who use their influence to apply political pressure on the Israeli Government to take a course of action that is both ill-advised and could result in disaster. I don't disagree with your comments, the Israelis will continue to take extreme measures against those who threaten their territory. They believe only action can protect the citizens of Israel. The Israelis fight terrorism on a daily basis. They kill and have been killed. Activity flares, dies and flares again. These are not skirmishes to the Israelis, they are battles in an on-going war. The Israelis also know that they cannot, politically, afford to do nothing while Israelis are being killed and their borders violated with impunity. If Arafat is unable to control what is happening along his own borders then Israel will have no choice but to take action to control matters. The fact is Arafat cannot control the borders and prevent further raids from taking place and this should not be ignored.

I agree with your comment that there are those who want the Israelis to be uptight and they are trying to get them to react and shoot back. The question is, just how far are they going to take it? Yes, there will be more incidents and casualties and your conclusions are frightening enough. Intelligence estimates indicate that forces opposed to the peace process are attempting to further precipitate a crisis.

I guess you take the practical approach. What is important as you say is to prevent Arafat taking extreme measures for solving the problem. To succeed he needs time to establish his Council's authority, reorganise state and political apparatus and equally important to get the economy moving. There are those who oppose throwing money at the Palestinians. Some want the peace process to collapse altogether. Closing the border cripples his efforts. Instead of controlling the situation and providing a solution which allows for some flexibility Arafat finds himself reacting to events. Politically, Arafat cannot afford inaction.