to demonstrate the dawn of a new era of cooperation between Israelis and Palestinians, officials held a public ceremony to sign a routine extension for the Temporary International Presence in Hebron (TIPH).

A new era of cooperation, where Israel is cooperating itself to pieces. Where are the Palestinian Arabs cooperating, besides with each other, paying Hamas salaries, buying Hamas legislators new cars.

We cooperate with Arabs but with Jews we cooperate with police. Granted, the “settlers” — Israeli citizens! — could have been more agreeable, but when Israel demolishes Arab housing, the world passes UN resolutions.

After a massacre of Arabs by one Jew, we get international observers to protect Arabs. After a massacre of Jews by Arab organizations, Arab governments, Arab complicity, dancing in the street, genocidally bigoted cartoons in the media, when do we get a protective international force? We get UNIFIL, pronounced “you knew, fool”.

There is one bright spot in all this. Israel is piling up a tremendous buffer of international goodwill, which with a shekel will buy you a shekel. I tried so hard to allow Olmert time to work on the real problems …

If I gave you time to change my mind
I’d find a way to leave the past behind
Knowing that you lied straight faced while I cried
Still I look to find a reason to believe
Still I look to find a reason to believe
Still I look to find a reason to believe

(Ahh, Rod Stewart understands )

Just as the Pals can’t have everything they want, neither can Israel. Deals have to be made. Gaza should have been such a deal, but the disengagement was poorly conceived and carried out, so Israel got basically nothing for removing her citizens from Gaza.

If you’re asking me if I believe in Eretz Yisrael, yes, I do. But I know it’s not realistic to do more than wish for it. At least, not until the Moshiach gets here.