Israel and futility

David Brooks has his point of view.

"A different game with different rules was begun. This new game is not oriented toward a final agreement. The extremist groups believe in the eventual extermination of Israel. They’re not interested in a handshake on the White House lawn. In this new game, both sides seek the destruction of the other, but neither has the power to achieve it."

He could just as well have written that extremist groups in Israel believe in the eventual extermination of Palestine.  It all depends on your point of view and your definition of "extremism."  Those who have long believed Palestinians to be coequal human beings now find ourselves in what looks like a significant majority which also sees Israel as a primary threat to any kind of peace and tolerance.  An awful lot of the world now regards Israel with anger, disillusionment, and disgust.  Israel really can't afford to lose that many old friends.

Update:  As the New York Times puts it on the front page, "Journalists have been barred from the battle zone in Gaza, but they are given full access to sites in Israel hit by Hamas rockets."   Here's the full evening report.  Lovely.