19/7/08 Different Planets The man who stood at the center of the event personifies the abyss that separates the two worlds, the Israeli and the Arab: Samir al-Kuntar. All Israeli media call him "Murderer Kuntar", as if that were his first name. For the Arab media, he is "Hero Samir al-Kuntar".

12/1/08 The Hands of Esau. Which of the two men is the leader of the greatest power on earth and which is the boss of a small client state?

1/12/07 "The Tumult And The Shouting Dies" An analysis of George Bush's middle east meeting at Annapolis.

10/11/07 The Last Refuge Will the US and Israel attack Iran, and how will George Bush deal with the chaotic situation in Afghanistan.

1/9/07 A BRUISED REED The USA is the modern heir of ancient Egypt. It is colossal, rich and strong, a cultural, economic and military power. Pharaoh, king of America, dominates the world as Pharaoh, king of Egypt, once dominated the Semitic region. And like any dominating empire, it is interested in the existing world order and defends the status quo against all rising forces in the world.

11/8/07 OSLO REVISITED. On these hot, sticky days of the Israeli summer, it is pleasant to feel the coolness of Oslo, even if the visit is only virtual. Fourteen years after the signing of the Oslo agreement, it is again the subject of debate: was it a historical mistake?

23/6/07 Saving President Abbas. EHUD OLMERT is the opposite of Midas, King of Phrygia. Everything the king touched turned into gold, according to Greek legend. Everything Olmert touches turns into lead. And that is no legend. Now he is touching Mahmoud Abbas.

10/3/07 Olmert's Truth. If GOD wills, even a broomstick will shoot. That is an old Yiddish adage. One could add now: If God wills, even Olmert can sometimes tell the truth.

10/2/07 The method in the madness. How beleaguered leader Ehud Olmert tries to hang on by diverting interest and creating threats in the Middle East Region to justify his macho approach to politics. A bit like George and Tony in many ways.

11/11/06 Beit Hanoun Massacre of Palestinians by the Israeli Defence Forces

18/11/06 Thoughts on Israeli novelist David Grossman's speech which was given at a memorial rally for Yitzhak Rabin. He advised the Prime Minister: "Appeal to the Palestinians, Mr. Olmert. Appeal to them over Hamas's head. Appeal to the moderates among them, to those who, like you and me, oppose Hamas and its ideology!"

25/11/06 An Evening in Jounieh and the complexity of the political situation in Lebanon which the west seems to be oblivious to.

02/12/06 "A Sparkling Bubble". An analysis of Ehud Olmerts speech made at David Ben-Gurion's grave in Negev. Bush demanded that Ehud Olmert make a gesture to impress the world. So he made a gesture - delivering a speech at which was full of nice phrases and promises with nothing behind them.

06/01/07 Kiss of Death. Since JUDAS ISCARIOT embraced Jesus, Jerusalem has not seen such a kiss. After being boycotted by Ariel Sharon and Ehud Olmert for years, Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) was invited to the official residence of the Prime Minister of Israel two weeks ago. There, in front of the cameras, Olmert embraced him and kissed him warmly on both cheeks. Abbas looked stunned, and froze. The naïve explanation is political. President Bush wanted some movement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which would look like an American achievement. Condoleezza Rice transmitted the order to Olmert. Olmert agreed to meet Abbas at long last. There was a meeting. A kiss was effected. Promises were made and immediately forgotten. Americans, as is well known, have short memories. Even shorter (if that is possible) than ours. But there is also a more cynical explanation.

13.1.07 Manara Square, Ramallah. It was murder in broad daylight. Undercover soldiers disguised as Arabs, accompanied by armored vehicles and bulldozers and supported by helicopter gunships, invaded the center of Ramallah. Their aim was to kill or capture a Fatah militant, Rabee' Hamid.

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