From the privileged position of uninvolvement, may I offer some
comment on the recent heated exchange about Gaza, Israel, etc?

        While a grad student in a USA lab dominated in more senses than one
by men of Jewish extraction (most of them non-religious, I guessed), I soon
learned not to attempt any discussion relating to Israel.  As soon as one
made any remark, no matter how specific & careful, they would scream "Ve
are fighting for our vechy SURVIVAL", to put me on notice that reasoning
would not be available.  I gave up.
        What I did think, and still do, is that in such a complex long
dispute what may matter most practically is: which party is in the more
sturdy psychological condition to make a concessionary offer.  It has
usually appeared to me that the non-Israelis (not all of them Arabs!)
happen to be in the more precarious psychological position and are
therefore the better placed to be generous.  By this comparison I do not
mean to imply that the Zionists who scream as I've quoted are in any very
robust psychological stance  -  only that the others are even less secure.
        I have no opinion on what offer(s) the Zionists might best
formulate; as I say, I gave up the attempt to reason on this ghastly
imbroglio.  I mean now only to make a suggestion on a different level,
which I hope will be taken up sympathetically as it is meant.

        I must add that unless the theme of science for the people can be
injected into this particular dispute, it would not seem to belong on this
list.


Shalom and, if I have it right, namaste

R