For all the jockeying name, name-calling, and dissent going on, I can actually see an end to the violence in Israel. But I fear that it doesn't come because all parties agree to put their differences aside. I think Ariel Sharon has given up, he's decided that stopping the killings is the most important thing, he's tired playing the political defense game. Tired of putting on a strong front to the Palestinians and convincing the international community that Israel is not evil. Just looking at him, the change is apparent. I'm not going out on a limb to say that being the Prime Minister of Israel is probably the most frustrating job on the planet. It's obviously taken its toll. I believe he's hedging his political bet that while appeasing the Palestinians may not be the right thing to do, it'll stop the killing, and then maybe his citizens will forget about what is right/just and just be happy with being alive.

In the long run however, I don't think this will stop the violence. It will work for a short while, no doubt about it, appeasement always does. But soon, it won't be enough; there will be demands for more land, less soldiers, more free prisoners. In the situation now, a permanent peace is impossible.

The official TOG parking lot scheme of peace? Give the Palestinians a state with set boundaries, both side pull all their citizens back to their own side. Then build a big freaking wall with concrete, barbed wire, and gun turrets, the whole works. There is no use arguing over what land is owned by whom, historically both groups have been there for 3,000 years, there is no progress to be made bickering about who owns what patch of holy sand. Take the piece you get, sit down, shut up, and hide behind the wall. You owned property on the other side? Tough, here's money for what it was worth, go buy yourself a new rock garden on this side of the dotted line. Just let it be.