But through the interview I I was wondering why Chris had not asked about passive resistance. Then I come to the end and find that Khalidi also ( as I do) feels that this would burst “the boil” as he calls it. Possibly he says. I am more certain. Israeli’s, Jews, as a group,I would say have a highly developed sense of right and wrong which will surface once the self defense argument disappears.

Why don’t they do this?? The problem is that Palestinians need to come together for this- Passive resistance has to be a religion almost. It will take off from the smallest meaningful beginnings. Israel does everything it can to help divide Palestinians and marginalize moderates. This is the reason- they think they win this way. And Palestinians oblige. It’s like Palestinians are punch drunk already- numb (it’s much worse).

Moderates on both sides have been marginalized. 90% of Israeli’s were for this war. They rationalized that they had used restraint and no more Mr. nice guy.

And I agree that not only are the Palestinians in worse shape from the last 8 years since this “war on terrorism” took over, obviously so, but Israel is. As Khalidi says, Israel is in much worse shape. But what’s even worse is that the illusion that predominates in Israel denies this entirely. They think they can go on with their military solutions which keep making things worse but in the hope that Palestinians will disappear or surrender and disappear. The Israeli public apparently feels that the job was not finished in Gaza!!

Passive resistance would ( sorry to use this tired old phrase) “pull the rug out” from under this illusion- this argument in which security trumps even morality. Once there is no violence coming form the Palestinian side ( really none) and there is a semblance of unity and governance, Israel’s occupation will stand out in sharp relief… here. That is a hard hill to climb.

Also the international community especially the US, has to read the riot act to Israel.

The Gaza War made an impression, a realization– We all saw the fish being shot in the barrel. Jews saw this and were ashamed. I was.

I feel strongly that Obama must separate himself from the Bush approach by giving a strong speech to the American public about how Israel can never have peace and security or well-being without Palestinians also sharing in that. He must say that Hamas is a force that must be dealt with directly and nudged away from the dark side; that it is a resistance movement that uses terror which is different ( as Khalidi says) from Al Qaeda. This is a teaching moment for Obama- that there will be ( another applicable tired phrase) no “zero sum game”.