I haven't exercised my British contacts to get their take on things. I think of the British as institutionally anti-semitic but not bloodthirsty (any more). It is not hard to understand why arabists and those who hope for a Palestinian 'victory' utilize anti-semitism disguised as anti-Zionism in any venue in which they can find traction. I've seen it in Alaska. This tactic will work if it succeeds in instilling fear, but if opposed boldly and directly, it usually loses, because it is a tactic of cowards.

The English Playwright David Hare touched on some of these issues in his one man play "Via Dolorosa".

I've seen and heard enough of the rationalization of Antisemitism so that I classify it as a religion in itself. I am not aware of any other race/religious/class hatred that is as insistent and insidious. This in itself can cause some few Jews to leave the fold and join the opposition in an inevitably vain attempt to feel unpersecuted. It's a weakness.

I think Clinton tried to achieve some long term good in the Mideast but peace was quashed by the ill-will of Yassir Arafat. I think Bush means well but he and his friends are operating on their own reality set which will prove to be not too enduring. I think Ariel Sharon has been driven to take matters into his own hands by the lack of progress due to intransigence on both sides. I think he is well aware of the long view but must get a solid durable majority on his side in his own country. I think a stable consistent Israeli plan has a chance of drawing out the majority of Palestinians who want the same thing.

It would be most helpful if Palestinian society could free up to allow open dialogue to the same extent that it exists in Israel.