In a related story, check an article in The Mark News, a selecction of opinion columns written by unusually well-informed contributors. There is an interesting one on Israel by an old friend and colleague, Steve Scheinberg. This one was written before the recent flare up of figthting between Palestinians and israelis - and it might help to explain it.

Until the incidents at the Egyptian border, Netanyahu was in serious trouble. Though Israel has a high proportion of millionaires, its wealth is, like ours (only worse) badly distributed. From July into August, there were massive and growing demonstrations, largely middle class, about dropping living standards and lack of social services and access to education.. And against the stunning cost of Israeli military posturing.

The demonstrations were so big that those in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem were the equivalent to a million people turning out in Toronto. One poll showed as many as 85% of the population in favour of the protesters.

They also demanded that the government leave Palestinians alone, stop annexing their land, and stop spreading "settlements". Funny how that never made our news media.

The rocket attacks came as manna from heaven for Netanyahu. Fear of renewed conflict is precisely what Netanyahu needed to refocus Israel on fear and hatred. I don't think he'll be in any hurry to turn down the fear. Like US presidents, Netanyahu needs that fear and hatred to stay in power.

Conflict is very seldom what it appears to be about. And war reporting can never be trusted.

Don 't bet on finding any stories about the Israeli Spring.

There is considerable hostility in Israel to the settlers.  I read the Jerusalem Post every day for about 4 years post 9/11. (OK, maybe it is more right wing than Ha'aretz, but I also read the news stories).   This came up over and over.

Everywhere in the world, most people want peace and decent living conditions and don't care about much else!  

yes, and governments have found the answer to those requests. Make them scared. Make them hate.

All over t he western world, certainly, there has been a tremendous diversion of national wealth into the pockets of a small minority. That small minority is rich enough now to virtually control governments. That's true of Canada, the US, Britain, Israel, France.....

As well, the rich have made themselves almost free of taxes and of national laws or regulations. Democracy, in consequence, is very close to meaningless. Where this takes us, i fear, is civil disorder and breakdown.

And....increased civil disorder will open the way for increased state power.

exactly. And I think we're about to get a does of state power.

What, when they bring back Nixon from the dead, cackling an evil laugh?

Oh, these days, Nixon looks like a George Washington - though George was pretty much a myth, too.

Ah, but even though Jesus the Christ is a myth, just look at all the fantastic things that are done 'because' of Him? :3

True enough.