Shari,

Nelson Mandala faced the same daunting task. And while the Truth and Reconciliation process was not without its faults, and it is ongoing, it has to be tried in this 'multi-generational blood feud'.

And the Apartheid regime of S.A. essentially practiced the same tactics as has, and is, Israel.

Subjugate and divide the majority. 2.7 million Palestinians in Gaza, nearly 3.1 in the West Bank and some 2.1 million in Israel proper.

That would be 7.9 million Palestinians and 7.2 million Israelis. Can't have them unified, so corrupt their leaders: Arafat's estate was worth nearly $1 billion. Hamas leaders, Haniyeh and Mashal, are worth $4 billion, while Marzuk is worth $3 billion.

Destabilize one's neighbours. Threaten them with violent retaliation, assassinate their scientists or leaders, in some cases train their minorities.

Angola and Namibia are just two of S.A.'s neighbours who suffered from their military destabilization.

Lebanon, Syria and Iraq know only too well the costs of Israel's malfeasance. Would not want to be Jordanian.

Get nuclear weaponry.

S.A. had 6. Israel has between 80-400: many with multiple intercontinental missile delivery systems.

That's one very big bundle of sticks.

Unfortunately, the world has to insist that Israel act like a Western nation and follow Mandela's path. Of course, to risk the ubiquitous label of antisemite might be too much for a small nation, but we have to insist that our elected leaders demand it.

The stumbling block?

The United States, sitting nicely in Israel's back pocket.