Again, the suicidal bombers strike terror into the very heart of Israel and the political temperature rises. The Palestinians are in a mutinous mood, they are surly and defensive. They have an absolute ruthlessness and total dedication to the cause in which they believe. It is a tenuous situation and further trouble will ensue. I begin to wonder if peace can be achieved if the atrocities continue? In such a climate of deep-seated hatred the Palestinians are fast becoming unwanted anachronisms. As things stand, there is very little sign of the troubles abating and I remain apprehensive. I sincerely hope my worse fears will not emerge and that they will not be torn asunder.

Yesterday’s terror was brutal and senseless The bus bombing in Israel has not cowed the Israelis nor made them weary. The Israelis have moved beyond the anger and fury, I sense complete and utter rage. Yes, it creates tears and horror for those involved but the Israelis have come to accept the horror of random death with the fatalism of those who live with the fear of it on a daily basis. Such bombings only enervate the Israelis into further action. Each outrage makes them stronger and more resistant to terror. How can peace be achieved if such outbreaks of terrorism continually occur? The Palestinians can never win - unless the Israelis, in momental rage at a heinous irrational act, go berserk.

You cannot separate the nuts from the zealots, the truth from madness. There is hate, filled with such a single-minded pitiless intensity on both sides that gravitates to the ultimate extreme. I've seen the effect of such rage on people. I also know that it projects them into that region of uncaring, which lies close to the borders of madness, a state which is characterised by implacability. Hate can be an oppressive bedfellow.

I ask myself if people in Israel and Palestine can accept the of idea of peace and are capable of adapting to the changes it involves? Are they willing to inter-act with one another? Can they, both the Israelis and Palestinians, afford to be charitable? They will have to demonstrate an ability to change to accommodate peace. Their bellicosity will have to change. Neither have accepted the inevitability of peace.

I ask myself will further acts of terrorism and counter-action be worth the tears and pain? Both the Palestinians and the Israelis are destined to suffer, unless they can change. The answer lies in their hands, only through them will change come. Many will continue to weep at the dawn and dying of each day. Tears, plenteous and free will continue to flow before peace is reached and they will continue to be filled with consuming pain as they move deeper and deeper into the flowing dark of the utter madness of retaliation and counter retaliation.