I do think that I represent a large, silent segment of the population. It just so happens that the vocal ones tend to be on the extremes.

There used to be a time when most of us used to believe in peace and peace was the hope and dream of most Israelis and their supporters around the world. It’s true that the years have made us all less naive and far more cynical. Myths have been shattered and we have watched a hoped for peace come and go. But if you think about most people’s intentions not that long ago, you realize that if nothing else they were good intentions and worthy of admiration. We wanted peace.

These feelings don’t belong to the Right with their belief in interminable war, or the Left with their blindness to and excuses for the evil of Israel’s enemies. They belong to those of us in the center. Those who see clearly that ideology is not the solution but pragmatism and a clear-headed view of our situation are going to bring us closer to a solution and much sooner.

At least that’s what I think.

However, the little things that drive you batty…I have a feeling they ain’t coming to a stop because our views on certain issues, uh, diverge.

I say let’s give a rat’s ass about the Paleostinian “narrative” when they give a rat’s ass about the Jewish narrative.

Until then, bupkes.

Translation: “Damn, that was a fine comment where he really stuck it to me and I have no retort. Where is that Kach registration form again? Oh there it is, next to the Chomsky book and the Progressive, Liberal, Feminist, Anarchist pro-Palestinian Manifesto.”

Shana tova, Mobius.

I presume you mean that if “the Palestinians” were as “moderate” as I am, then they wouldn’t be moderates and your reaction would be to take an extreme Right wing position because they would deserve that type of harsh response. Right?

Okay, so let’s just hit on some of the basics. I am for a two state solution and the Palestinian right to self determination.

Are most Palestinians for a true two state solution? I’m not talking about one where they dream of overwhelming Israeli politics with larger demographics, but a true two state solution?

I am opposed to any bloodshed, believe that any Palestinian casualties or deaths should be minimized, and targeted killings should be directed only at terrorists while attempting to minimize any collateral casualties – to the point where I say send in a fighting force to do it but don’t kill from the air where the odds of harm to bystanders is greater.

During the height of this war, in 2002, when an orgy of killing murdered 128 Israelis in one month, Palestinian pollsters showed over 70% public support for these suicide attacks targeting Israeli civilians. Even now that number hovers at about 50%.

I consider most Palestinians to be people just like any other, with a right to worship as they would prefer, and a right to live as free people under their own Palestinian government. I accept that whether or not they did or did not have ties to the area in 1948, many did have ties, most recognize themselves as a nation today and as such any peace deal needs to accord to them contiguous land sufficient for a state, the right to worship where and how they’d like, ongoing access to Jerusalem holy sites and control over their mosques and relevant churches.

Is that what most Palestinians believe the Jews should have? Have you seen what they say in their textbooks, on their tv programming, and in their leaders’ speeches? How did they treat our religious sites just now in Gaza? How did they treat them historically? The two key parties to receive votes in recent elections have charters that negate Jewish ties to the region, rights to live there, and one of them goes so far as to use the Protocols of the Elders of Zion as a source for their ideology.

So guess what, my little Mobius, you should be heading right over to your nearest Kach office. By the way, when you join, expect me to treat you like the extremist you are.