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# Posted 1:47 PM by Dan

THOMAS FRIEDMAN is best when he writes about the Middle East, as illustrated by his NYT column today. Friedman differs from other NYT colmnists by distributing blame to all of those who deserve it, instead of sending it one way (i.e. Krugman or Safire). Friedman's column essentially attacks the Israeli, Palestinian, and Saudi leadership. According to him, most Israelis want "a practical, non-ideological solution, one that says, "Let's pull back to this line, abandon these settlements and engage the Palestinians with this proposal, because that is what will preserve our Jewish democracy, and forget about the other stuff." So Tom supports unilateral withdrawal. He did not mention whether or not he supports the building of a fence, as many Israelis (including former PM Ehud Barak) now advocate. My favorite line: "Someone should tell the European fools who now rush to protect Mr. Arafat that when this intifada started it was directed partly at his corrupt leadership, but he redirected it all onto Israel — with Mr. Sharon's help — decimating both the Palestinian economy and the very Israeli peace camp that is the only force that can deliver Palestinians a state." Arafat does not want to compromise because his demands are far beyond what even the most left-leaning and peace loving Israeli is willing to offer. My opinion: no peace, no Palestinian state, and a continued stalemate as long as Arafat remains leader. A few months ago he was a "Dead Man Walking" but as long as he keeps eating yogurt and taking naps, the cycle of violence will continue.

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