We are working together for a reformed and revived Near East, and our two movements complete one another. The Jewish movement is national and not imperialist. Our movement is national and not imperialist, and there is room in Syria for us both. Indeed, I think that neither can be a real success without the other.”

Colonial powers sunk this agreement ... an utter tragedy. The UN’s legitimate mandate for the Jewish State, Israel, was but a shadow, a small gesture compared with the vision of this enlightened and great man.

None can deny that Uri Avnery is an idealist, a fine man. However, his judgement must be called into question - such as his close friendship, albeit one-sided, with Yassir Arafat who played him like a fiddle ...

Before you cite certain Israeli historians, read Efraim Karsh’s analytical review of their works. Karsh, director of the Mediterranean Studies Programme at King's College, University of London, editor of the quarterly journal Israel Affairs, has impeccably referenced documents supporting his findings.
http://www.meforum.org/article/302

Sol,

Muslim Arabs have seats in the Knesset.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ta'al
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Arab_List
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_Knesset_members

However, Wikipedia has proven incorrect on a number of issues ... being an open site, any odd bod can alter facts. So confirm with Israel’s Knesset site:
http://knesset.gov.il/

When you cook Paul’s cake, presumably it will be chametz-free.

Danielle,

The issue had to do with the NUMBER of Muslim members of the Knesset, not their existence. This was something Paul had obviously understood and corrected himself, and of course that is greatly appreciated.

Unlike Paul I didn't use Wikipedia but checked the Knesset site in Hebrew before making the offer knowing fully well that the number was less than 12.

The notion of making a non chametz-free cake for Pesach makes as much sense as some of the arguments I have encountered on OLO.

Chag sameach

Sol

Sol,

I don't have to prove Israel is better at representing it's minorities than India. It was your contention that Israel significantly lagged India. I think I have done enough to dispel this suggestion. You are most welcome to prove to me I am wrong if you wish.

I admit I got a little hasty and substituted Muslim for Arab by mistake. According to wikipedia only 83% of Arab Israelis are Muslims. It is interesting to note that in the Palestinian territories Muslim Arabs make up 98.7%. This says to me that Palestine is less of an Arab homeland than a Muslim one.

Perhaps you could let me know of the religious persuasions of the Arab members of the Knesset, since I can't read Hebrew.

BTW, I wonder why it is you think I live in Melbourne. I am not jewish or christian. I don't mind the idea of free cake though.

Also I don't get my information from wikipedia. I merely use it for statistics. I do however note that it is not always authoritative and that there are better sources available.

Pity with so many solutions being bandied regarding peace between Arabs and Israelies there is not one suggestion similar to what one would find in academia, not the need for a Condy Rice or a Tony Blair to begin the arrangements, but better a tried and tested lawmaking institution, with no published personalities - no nsmes no pack drill - meetings to be held in Belgium or Switzerland where the proven simple commonsense of true democracy can become the foundation of the agenda.

Peace agreements only work if both sides want it.

Just look at the mockery the Viet Cong made of the the Paris negotiations for a peace in South Vietnam. They so completely used and abused the process that it must rank alongside the worst acts of 'bad faith' ever.

Only when both sides have had enough will peace agreements work. If only that was the case now, but I sincerely doubt it.

In the absence of good faith by one party, peace talks can have significantly deleterious effects on the party of good faith.

Read the Hamas charter to see what their position on peace treaties is.

Paul

And look at the actions of Israel in land stealing, occupations and invasions ' to see what their position on peace treaties is.'