As one who lives in Israel, and wants to continue doing so- it is very difficult for me to either totally condemn or to justify most of the events which have occurred hereover the past two weeks. Sure- wrongs have been done - historically to both peoples. This does not justify lynching, castrating beating,skull smashing or rock throwing. Rock throwing by an angry mob, or by some sick individual on a highway, is just as lethal as bullets or shells. I know- I have been under it.The rock throwing mobs are mainly young people twelve to 30-that is why some children are getting hurt or killed. Soldiers are shooting mainly rubber bullets but they too can kill under certain circumstances.The rock which crushes a pregnant mum,or the bullet which kills a twelve year old kid, are equally lethal.

There is no way in which Israel is going to cave in and the Israelis disperse to other countries. I am equally convinced that there will be a Palestinian state in the forseeable future. It is just a question of seeing sense on the way to it. Both sides have to be brave enough to make compromises and to coexist . I believe that Prime Minister Barak has made significant offers and given significant concessions to the Palestinians- it needs courage and above all honesty on Mr. Arafat's part to accept them, and to urge his people to return to coexistence and to build peace. Jews and Arabs need to put aside hatred and suspicion . I am happy to say that Jewish and Arab musicians both within Israel, and to a certain extent across the borders, cooperate and produce music and art together. There are several folk groups comprising both Jewish and Arab musicians. Halevai( Let it Be) that there will be more of them, and that the rest of the people will learn to live together as they do. Jack The Lad- in Israel.