The paradox of it all is that if it weren't for the suicide bomber, Sharon would be sulking off in a corner somewhere. And if it weren't for Sharon the suicide bombers would be in school, and the people who promote their actions would be marginalised.

The extremists on the two sides feed off each other. I imagine that provoking retaliation is actually a prime factor from both sides when it comes to determining what to do next. Maybe in the end exhaustion will set in and people will realise what's happening.

Maybe it'll be better if Hamas takes over on the Palestinian side, and then at least the people organising the terror on the Palestinian side will at last be the Government, as well as on the Israeli side, and that might even make it easier in time to stop the feedback process.