Without exception, whether in biblical times or modern times, Jews have always been at the height of their affluence and the height of intoxication at being allowed to hobnob amongst non-Jews. But defeat was never with the sudden blow of an ax. It was always the result of a very clear and methodical publicized campaign - a plan for all to see – destroy the Jews. We Jews always choose not to see it. What an interesting phenomenon…

The following is an excerpt from the Qatar-based Arabic news channel, Al-Jazeera, which recently hosted a debate on the future of the Intifada and the Palestinian state.

In the program three Palestinian figures participated, representing the three leading political viewpoints of the Palestinian public today. Palestinian Authority Minister of Information, Yasser Abd Rabbo represented the PA's official position – representative of Yasser Arafat, Deputy head of Hamas' political bureau, Musa Abu Marzuq represented the position of the militant Islamic movement, and Bilal Al-Hassan, an analyst with the London-based daily, Al-Hayat, represented the position of the Palestinian left.

Abu Marzuq explained that Hamas has no objection to such a state and even said, "A State within the borders of the West Bank and Gaza would be considered an achievement at the present stage." However, he promptly added, "it is clear that if a state is established within the 1967 borders, these will not be its final borders. We must further aspire for borders that will include Palestine in its entirety."

Palestinian Authority Minister of Information Abd Rabbo, on the other hand, refused to elaborate on what will happen once a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders is established. "There is almost a consensus among Palestinians that the direct goal is to reach the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in the June 4, 1967 borders, with Jerusalem as its capital," he said, "[but] regarding to the future after that, it is best to leave the issue aside and not to discuss it."

Bilal Al-Hassan: "at this stage we talk about a state within the 1967 borders, but this is not the end of the story. This unified Palestine, once the Palestinian state is established, can come about in one of two ways: through peace, or through war. It can be established through peace, if the Israelis accept the logic of a [unified] democratic Palestinian state. If they don't accept this logic, then the logic of history will lead to a confrontation."

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Summary by Jan Willem van der Hoeven:

So if after all this, there are still politicians who want to prove that they were right and will continue nevertheless with the so-called 'peace process' than let us realise that even if they bring about such a 'peace agreement' by offering in a next Camp David-like meeting Arafat even more: that is a Palestinian State on all the area occupied by Israel since the Six Day War with East Jerusalem as its sovereign capital! Even then that would not be the end of the conflict, it would be yes an acceptable intermediate phase for most Muslims and Palestinians till they would feel strong enough to take the rest of Israel. So why negotiate at all if all it means that we make it easier under the present circumstances for our enemies to finish off what will be left of us?

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Veiwpoint by Mikial Ben Shimon, Canada

Why do we feel so secure? Why are not the leaders of Jewish communities and Israel slow to recognize the danger? Why are these “unbiased” gatherings not attended by large organized Jewish representation? Why is this time so reminiscent of the days prior to every Jewish catastrophe that has ever befallen us, the Jews; without exception, whether in biblical times or modern times, Jews have always been at the height of their affluence and the height of intoxication at being allowed to hobnob amongst non-Jews. But defeat was never with the sudden blow of an ax. It was always the result of a very clear and methodical publicized campaign - a plan for all to see – destroy the Jews. We Jews always choose not to see it. What an interesting phenomenon.