Ariel Sharon is no politician. He's been a soldier, since he was eighteen years of age, and he will solve every problem through the use of force, which was for 50 years has eluded the Israelis and never worked. They have won every battle and still, sadly, no peace.

On the other hand you have Yasser Arafat, a terrorist, a murderer, a person who has condoned murderous attacks through the guise "the end justifies the means. However, he is the Palestininan leader and you have to negotiate with him.

I'm sure that every Israeli wants peace and will be willing to give up land for that peace. But, the Arabs have to recognise Israel's right to exist. There have been wrongs done by both sides. There CANNOT be any peace if there are people still blaming the other.

The US is not, and I repeat, can never be a peace broker. It is seen by the Arabs as been too one-sided, in Israel's favour. I sometimes wonder that, if so many politicians, did not depend on the Jewish vote would the US be such a staunch supporter? The current President, George Bush, is perceived by the World as having no coherent MidEast policy. On the one hand he has to support Israel, dammit its election year, but then again he needs the support of certain Arab countries for the impending war with Iraq. Plus he has, little or no, experience.

The Israelis know that that the powerful US Jewish Lobby and the misconception,that all Arabs are terrorists, after Sep 11 is in their favour. That's why the current visit by Colin Powell has been largely ignored by Sharon.

So, there wasn't a massacre at Jenin. So Hitler, only murdered 10 jews. Does that make it any better? I think not.

I say, put 12 Jewish mothers in a room with 12 Palestinian mothers and there would be a peace accord in a few days. Why? They would not want to bury their sons and daughters.