What Are Friends For?

Sharon's election campaign started like the triumphal march of a Roman emperor returningfrom victorious battle. The imperator stood in his carriage accepting the roars ofadulation, while the chained captives (the Labor Party leaders) shuffled behind. But the march hit a mud pit. And with every step, it sinks more. It started with the primary elections […]

Israeli Military Kills Refugee Child

Just over an hour ago Israeli soldiers opened fire ona small group of children in Bethlehem's Aida RefugeeCamp. The Israeli occupying army entered the camp, asthey do most days and nights, in jeeps, with theirtanks rumbling on the side roads. The Israeli soldierswere throwing tear gas into the camp, choking itsPalestinian residents who could not […]

Israeli Military Kills Refugee Child

Just over an hour ago Israeli soldiers opened fire ona small group of children in Bethlehem's Aida RefugeeCamp. The Israeli occupying army entered the camp, asthey do most days and nights, in jeeps, with theirtanks rumbling on the side roads. The Israeli soldierswere throwing tear gas into the camp, choking itsPalestinian residents who could not […]

the Geneva Accord, Part B

The following is the text of the Geneva Accord, obtained exclusively by Haaretz Continued from Part A of the Geneva Accord Article 6 – Jerusalem Religious and Cultural Significance : The Parties recognize the universal historic, religious, spiritual, and cultural significance of Jerusalem and its holiness enshrined in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In recognition of […]

Over the Next Hill

A Proposal for a Permanent Settlement Translated from Hebrew by Rachel Rowen Introduction This essay sets forth a new formula for a final status settlement with our Palestinian neighbors in this land. I must confess that this opening sentence was written after great hesitation. The reasonable reader will undoubtedly view the subject, especially the presumption […]

Liberman's Supreme Soviet

I have received a lot of curses in my lifetime, and here and there some compliments, too. But Ihave never received a compliment like this one: an important party, represented in theKnesset, has mentioned my name in its official election platform. Under the heading "Legislation and strict supervision of organizations and activists of theextreme left", […]

A Comparison Of 3 Drafts For An Israeli-Palestinian Peace Agreement

The Gush Shalom Peace Proposal (2001) The Ayalon-Nusseibeh Statement of Principles (2002) The Geneva Initiative () Note: the three documents here compared are of very different length, the Gush Shalom Draft Agreement covering three pages, the Ayalon-Nusseibeh Statement of Principles, a single page (being more a statement of general principles then a draft peace agreement) […]

Meeting Hamas

SHEIKH MUHAMMAD Hassan Abu-Tir has something every politician craves: instant recognizability. His long beard dyed bright orange with henna is very conspicuous indeed. Actually it is a religious symbol: the prophet, for whom he is named, used to dye his beard the same way. The red-bearded Sheikh is better known in Israel than any other […]

A Very Strange Animal

The "Legal Advisor to the Government" is a curious animal. Lately, his activities have becomecurious, too. Like the mythological Centaur, who was half human, half horse, the office of the Legal Advisorcomprises two different parts. On the one side is the person indicated by his title, givinglegal advice to the government. The government is, of […]

How to Help Sharon

If you want to help Ariel Sharon to remain in power – here is some useful advice. One: Talk about a "National Unity Government" that will be set up after the elections. This is a sophisticated trick. It says, in effect, that there is no difference between Likudand Labor. If so, why vote for Labor? […]