Reply #4: Those were thoughtful comments, Jim. I appreciate them.

[Wordie]

I am not certain if I missed something that you saw when you said that the author is still unwilling to accept Israel's existence as a Jewish-majority state.

He did say this: Two people: one land. Bilateral negotiations are fundamental in recognizing and engaging with the other side.

I'm not certain his intention was to promote the idea of a single state by that. It seemed to me he was just re-stating the conditions that led to the problems. I can see the ambiguity of the statement, though, and why it might lead you to conclude he was looking at a one-state solution.

Here's some other things he said about Peretz, the Israeli Labor candidate:
Nonetheless, Peretz is surely leaning in the right direction... Uri Avnery wrote, “Amir Peretz supports a serious peace program: negotiations with the Palestinians and the establishment of a Palestinian state, on the basis of the borders of 1967.” The first ingredient to formulate the realization of a Palestinian state, autonomy and viability for its people, relies on the election of Amir Peretz.

So, since he seems to support the idea of Peretz as Israel's Prime Minister, and Peretz is supporting a separate Palestinian state, it seems that's probably the author's goal too.

I appreciate the chance to discuss this with you, Jim.