The politicians blathering on at the top often don't know and don't control what their underlings get up to. As John Kennedy once said, "There's always a schmuck who doesn't get the word."

How apt for a secondary power to place its bets on a secondary regional actor in a process that will lead nowhere. The poseurs leading the pitiful on a bridge to nowhere, as it were.

Now the question of factories remaining open on Shabbat is an area that is fair to debate. I am Shabbat observant myself, and enjoy a Shabbat atmosphere in my city. But the moment that debate turns violent - our response must be swift and severe.

Some thought it was the British media's finest hour in a long time when a TV program aired last week promised revelations about Britain's "Israel lobby."

There's something unique about planting trees in general, and fruit trees in particular. These are a point of great pride, and its a real pleasure to be able to harvest and enjoy fruits grown in the land of Israel.

Given the stakes, particularly in the Middle East, the lack of support for interfaith dialogue from the political leadership in Israel, Palestine and Jordan is suprising.