Goliath doesn't live here

[bemildred]

The planning, time, place and methodology of the attacks in the south indicate that the intention was not just to kill Israelis, avenge Palestinian deaths, or speed up the end of occupation. Whoever sent the terrorists is no friend of President Mahmoud Abbas and his people, who are scurrying around trying to lobby support for a UN General Assembly vote for a Palestinian state next month.

After a long period in which Israel was seen as Goliath the peace objector, and the Palestinians as David, the occupation victim, the sides have swapped roles. When Israel is burying its dead, it's awkward to bother it with trifles like expanding the settlements.

When the border between Israel and Egypt is open to murderers, it's harder to condemn Israel's leaders for refusing to utter the words "negotiation on the basis of the '67 borders."

No wonder the officials in the muqata in Ramallah haven't sounded so peevish in a long time. And not because of the Ramadan fast.

http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/goliath-doesn-t-live-here-1.379440

[provis99]

1. Haaretz can be pretty cynical sometimes.

Though given the history of the Middle East, I can understand their cynicism.