“They were fighting for the last 2000 years, they can’t go on for more long” Adam Sandler’s mom, in the Zohan (www.dontmesswiththezohan.com) while the movie producer presents a happy-ending, the reality of current events does not. It seems like somebody, somewhere (actually, here) saw the danger of peace, and took some actions to destroy it. Here are only few examples from this week in Middle-East politics:

On Friday, 20 June, the New York Times reported that the Israeli Air Force exercised a drill which demonstrated a large attack on Iran. Citing unidentified American officials, it has approved that more than 100 Israeli F-16 and F-15 fighters took part in the maneuvers over the eastern Mediterranean and Greece in the first week of June. A Pentagon official who the Times said was briefed on the exercise said one goal was to practice flight tactics, aerial refueling and other details of a possible strike against Iran’s nuclear installations and long-range conventional missiles. The second goal was to let everybody know; Israel is ready.

However, according to www.Haaretz.com Israel is actually far from attacking Iran.

The decision to attack Iran to foil its nuclear program is from Israel’s point of view a last resort, and the chances of it happening depend on many variables,

claims Yossi Melman, a defense correspondent. Economists at the UN and other US officials were also to blame Israel for the current oil increase $134.7 a barrel, as per Friday.

In the meantime, inside Israel and Gaza territories, several non-direct talks with the Hamas militant group, almost struck a deal for ceasefire between the two parties. In fact, there is an Egyptian-mediated truce in Gaza that took effect Thursday, June 19th. The deal aims to halt daily Palestinian rocket attacks against southern Israeli towns and communities and Israeli counter-raids and airstrikes against Hamas militants in Gaza. However, Hamas leader Halad Mishael said from Lebanon, that this truce still gives the right for his ‘soldiers’ to smuggle weapon to Gaza from Egypt and plan attack on Israeli target abroad.

This week there was also further development in negotiation the Prisoner-of-War issue (both with the Hamas and with Hezbollah). Both sides used European and Egyptian officials to exchange messages and demands. At this point there seems to be no significant change in the positions of Israel and Hamas. The radical Islamic group is demanding the release of at least 450 prisoners, most believed to be responsible for the murder of Israelis. Israel agreed to release only 70 on this list.

In Lebanon, Mr. Fouad Seniora, the head of the government who messed up last month with Hezbollah, has succeeded in disturbing the head of this brutal terrorist group by refusing to resign. Mr. Seniroa rejected any attempt to give up the majority of governmental seats to the Hezbollah delegates and currently faces ultimatum from the Hezbollah leader, Shiek Nassrallah.

Need some more? Iranian officials said this weekend that if Syria would hold direct talks with Israel, they, (the Iranian) will consider attacking Israel embassies abroad. While celebrating the “end of the Bush era” Iran’s defense minister also has warned of a “painful response” if Israel attacks it.

For some people it might be daily news from other parts of the globe. But for others, who have strong ties to these places and dare to dream of better future, it’s a long nightmare. I know that it might dangerous, but I am not so pessimistic (I also know that being too optimistic could invite hospitalization). So I read the paper and try to criticize myself with other pieces of the news. Above all, I want to believe that in those nations, a quite, educated youth is growing up with different plans for the future. Why think about the bad staff all time. It’s time to consider the risk of peace…

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