The Internal Struggle in Israel

The distension between the left and far-right in Israel became more and more apparent during the war on Gaza (though in my view, it just showed how impotent the Israeli left is when all of 15 people showed up for a Peace Now march). And now Israeli settlers are attacking the IDF! A lot of commentators say 'the settlers are a burden to the Israeli political left' or that 'the Israeli government is being held hostage by the settlers', etc. I am not so generous in my analysis. The settlers are an unofficial extension of the Israeli right-wing and simply so unofficially what the government cannot do itself- expand into the West Bank enough to take the entire land of Palestine for the state of Israel. But what will happen if the settlers get too out of control remains to be seen. I think that attacking the IDF is where they may draw the line.......

Fath Connection to Dubai Assassination?

I'm really interested to see if the Dubai killing by Mossad agents will eventually be linked to Fath and/or Dahlan. Hamas has issued and then retracted a few different statements in the last few days. I will post comments, if the truth on this ever comes out. I don't see it creating support for Hamas in Palestine, if true, but it could be the end of any appearance of legitimacy for Abbas.....not that it matters.

Poll Finds Hamas Would Lose Elections if They Were Held Today........

...but only 54% feel that Fath is the legitimate government of Palestine and 45% have confidence in Abu Mazen. 31% of those Palestinians polled said they wouldn't even bother voting. Almost sounds like the American voting public......

My Book Review of Raja Shehadeh's "Palestinian Walks"

Just released in Jerusalem Quarterly, Issue #40

"Low One," Indeed.

A poster, which I love, making its rounds in the Middle East and the blogosphere. Translation: "The high one built the high dam, the low one built the low barrier."