Andrew – Aren’t we talking about two things here? The first is whether a publicity stunt should be treated as real foreign-policy making and the second is what should be done about Israel? It seems to me that the former has very little to do with the latter. I think there’s merit to some of your ideas, but isn’t the reliance on Palestinian “good behavior” just a redux of Oslo? And for the record, I’d be fine with a replay of Oslo, if Arafat were truly out of the equation and there was someone trustworthy to deal with on the other side from the Israelis. My guess is that the moment Arafat dies or is replaced, Sharon’s popularity will plummet because he’s the choice of a nation which sees few other options than fighting/waiting it out.

As for the wall, which I’m not a huge fan of but I reluctantly support, I’m curious, what route do you think it should take? I ask because it sounds like your objection is its route and not its existence.