No one can predict with certainty that the second Intifadah will soon be over, but one consequence has already emerged: An overwhelming majority of Palestinians, along with most of their leaders, have concluded that the Intifadah has been nothing less than a political and economic disaster

During the past two decades I have always maintained that, regardless of their agonizing history, Israelis and Palestinians were destined to live harmoniously with one another. It is not that I now despair, but I do feel at a loss, baffled by the sheer madness that has engulfed both peoples.

While suicide bombings are extolled by most Palestinians as the ultimate expression of martyrdom and national pride, they have forced the Israelis, induced by the instinct to defend themselves by whatever means available at their disposal, to counterattack. The result is a tragically deepening ga

The flurry of diplomatic activity involving Israel, the Palestinians, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and the European Union in the search for a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will soon compel the United States to take a more definitive stand. Whereas all players speak of th

The next Israeli elections, like previous ones , may be greatly influenced by the Palestinians' conduct on the ground, especially by the level of violence against Israel. Under the best of circumstances, the Sharon government in its present composition will not last beyond the end of this yea

For all intents and purposes Yasir Arafat is Mr. Palestine, he has been the symbol, the substance, the servant and the savior of the Palestinian national movement. His time in power, however, although it may not be numbered in days or months, will certainly last no more than a year or two. Who

t is not up to the Likud Party or any other political party in Israel to decide whether or not a Palestinian state should be created. The eventual establishment of a Palestinian state has been and will continue to be the Palestinians' national right. Opposing it in principle is at best arrog

The Bush administration's call for an international conference on the Middle East this Summer was precipitated by the convergence of events that has dramatically changed the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The proposed conference can make important progress toward peace

By believing that they could force Israel out of the West Bank through violence as Hizbullah presumably had forced Israel to evacuate Southern Lebanon, the Palestinian leadership have made a disastrous mistake. Their equating Southern Lebanon with the West Bank has given the Palestinian public