Wisdom and Witlessness. Few British people or even Americans take time to stop and think through the problems faced by Israel. Yes, (Anglo/American) Jewish writers speak out for Israel, but where is the Israelis' Jenny Tonge? Of course, Israel wouldn't want Jenny Tonge if they were offered her, and I don't blame them, but still the point remains. The BBC has screeched on about the building of the wall (through head screecher Orla Guerin) and was just as loud about the extra-judicial killing of Sheikh Yassin. In the light of these things, and the troubles of Ariel Sharon which have been widely reported, I took some time to read this Jerusalem Post article on the art of Sharon's government. It's fascinating, and, unusually for journalism, it's grown up. Many good quotes, but here's a taster:

'balance is determined by an endless dynamic of mutual relations, where everyone has something to say but no one can dictate the solution.'